Charge-by-charge assemblies based on planar anion receptors

Maeda, Hiromitsu; Haketa, Yohei

doi:10.1351/PAC-CON-10-09-34

Pure Appl. Chem., 2011, Vol. 83, No. 1, pp. 189-199

http://dx.doi.org/10.1351/PAC-CON-10-09-34

Published online 2010-11-12

Charge-by-charge assemblies based on planar anion receptors*

Hiromitsu Maeda^1,2* and Yohei Haketa¹

¹ College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu 525–8577, Japan
² PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Kawaguchi 332–0012, Japan

Abstract: This critical overview proposes a new concept, a charge-by-charge assembly, which consists of alternately stacked positively and negatively charged species, by introducing examples of planar anionic structures in the solid state. The preparation of planar organic anions is not easy; however, complexation of planar anion receptor molecules with inorganic anions is found to be an efficient strategy for constructing them. As suitable motifs, dipyrrolyldiketone boron complexes exhibit various receptor–anion complexes and charge-by-charge assemblies in the solid state. The concept discussed here can be applied to useful soft materials as well as crystals by modifying the anion receptors and cations.

*Pure Appl. Chem. 83, 1–252 (2011). A collection of invited, peer-reviewed articles by former winners of the IUPAC Prize for Young Chemists, in celebration of the International Year of Chemistry 2011.