Dynamics, self-assembly, and function of multicomponent coordination supramolecular systems

Self-assembly allows for the preparation of highly complex molecular and supramolecular systems from relatively simple starting materials. Self-assembled supramolecules are typically constructed by combining complementary pairs of highly symmetric molecular components, thus limiting the formation of unwanted side products. In the subset of self-assembly which uses metal-ligand bonding interactions-coordination-driven self-assembly, syntheses are achieved by mixing two molecular components: one metal acceptor and one organic donor. Two-component coordination-driven self-assembly simplifies design principles at the cost of the complexity and diversity of the supramolecular products, limiting further applications. Combining more than two complementary sets of molecular components in one mixture can result in a myriad of different ordered two-component and/or multicomponent supramolecular assemblies. This dissertation describes our investigations of multicomponent Pt(II)-based supramolecular systems, in particular, to understand the fundamental dynamic feature of coordination supramolecular systems, discover information that controls multicomponent self-assembly, and explore potential applications of such complex supramolecular structures.