Supramolecular Assemblies Based on Dative Boron-Nitrogen Bonds

Dative boron nitrogen bonds were found to be a useful binding motif in structural supramolecular chemistry. Crystalline cages were formed using a diboronate ester and 2,4,6-tri(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine. These cages can act as hosts for electron-rich planar aromatic systems such as triphenylene. Further, crystalline two-dimensional polymers were formed via dative B-N bonds between a triboronic ester and a ditopic pyridyl ligand. Use of an extended triboronate ester resulted in formation of a gel in toluene with a minimum gelation concentration of 0.5 wt%.