Emergent self-assembly of M₁₂L₂₄/M₂₄L₄₈ spherical complexes: their dramatic structural change upon subtle component variation

Abstract

Previously, we reported about the construction of M6L12 and M12L24 coordination spheres. Here, we report the self-assembly of giant, M24L48 coordination spheres from 24 metal ions (M) and 48 curved bridging ligands (L). Because of the self-assembled critical structure of this multi-component system is highly sensitive, even a slight change of the mixed-ligand ratio critically switches the final structure between M24L48 and M12L24 coordination spheres.