Yu-Xuan Wang

Real-Time Monitoring the Dynamics of Coordination-Driven Self-Assembly by Fluorescence-Resonance Energy Transfer

It is quite challenging to investigate the dynamics of coordination-driven self-assembly due to the existence of multiple intermediates and many possible processes. By taking advantage of the high sensitivity and efficiency of fluorescence-resonance energy transfer (FRET), FRET was successfully employed to real-time monitor the dynamic behavior of coordination-driven self-assembly. The Förster energy transfer efficiencies and kinetic aspects of a series of discrete, well-defined metallacycles have been determined. Moreover, the dynamic characteristics of these supramolecular assemblies, such as the dynamic ligand exchange, anion-induced disassembly and reassembly, and stability in different solvents, have been investigated by using FRET.

Multiphase transition of supramolecular metallogels triggered by temperature

We present a new family of supramolecular metallogels undergoing reversible multiphase transition triggered by temperature from amphiphilic alkynylplatinum(ii) complexes. Further investigation revealed that intermolecular PtPt and π-π stacking interactions facilitate such phase transitions upon increasing the temperature.

Bottom-up chemical synthesis of three-dimensional conjugated carbon nanostructures: from carbon nanocages to carbon nanotubes

In this highlight, we present recent advances in the rational bottom-up chemical synthesis of three-dimensional (3-D) conjugated carbon nanostructures including carbon nanocages and carbon nanotubes. Derived from their efficient strategies for the construction of cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs), Itami et al. and Yamago et al. have successfully established bottom-up chemical syntheses for the construction of 3-D conjugated carbon structures, respectively. Two similar all-benzene carbon nanocages have been successfully prepared, which show intriguing photophysical properties. In addition, the initiation of carbon nanotube (CNT) growth from the selected CPPs was investigated by Itami et al., which provided a promising approach to the preparation of highly uniform CNTs.

Dual stimuli-responsive rotaxane-branched dendrimers with reversible dimension modulation

With the aim of mimicking biological machines, in which the delicate arrangement of nanomechanical units lead to the output of specific functions upon the external stimulus, the construction of dual stimuli-responsive rotaxane-branched dendrimers was realized in this study. Starting from a switchable organometallic [2]rotaxane precursor, the employment of a controllable divergent approach allowed for the successful synthesis of a family of rotaxane-branched dendrimers up to the third generation with 21 switchable rotaxane moieties located on each branch. More importantly, upon the addition and removal of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) molecule or acetate anion as the external stimulus, the amplified responsiveness of the switchable rotaxane units endowed the resultant rotaxane-branched dendrimers the solvent- or anion-controlled molecular motions, thus leading to the dimension modulation. Therefore, we successfully constructed a family of rotaxane-branched dendrimers with dual stimuli-responsiveness that will be a privileged platform for the construction of dynamic supramolecular materials.Mechanically interlocked molecules are extensively applied as artificial molecular machines but rotaxane-branched dendrimers are rarely explored because of synthetic challenges. Here the authors present the construction of dual stimuli-responsive rotaxane-branched dendrimer which can be stimulated by DMSO or acetate ions.