Self-assembly of cuprous iodide cluster-based calix[4]resorcinarenes and photocatalytic properties

Abstract

The controlled self-assembly of cuprous iodide cluster-based supramolecular architectures with a tunable structure is still a big challenge to date. We adopt a conformation-adaptive self-assembly strategy to precisely construct two [Cu_mI_n] calix[4]resorcinarenes including one-dimensional MOF 1 ({[Cu₆I₅]₂[CuI₂]₃(L¹)₃}_n) with [Cu₆I₅] tricubane cluster nodes and [Cu₈I₈] type supramolecular cluster 2 ([(Cu₈I₈)L²₂]) from ditopic cavitands L¹–L². Furthermore, such emissive complexes exhibited high photocatalytic activity to the azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction (CuAAC) in water.