The multicomponent reaction of diboronic acids with a catechol and a tripyridyl linker results in the formation trigonal prismatic cages. The cages feature six dative boron–nitrogen bonds as structure-directing elements. The size of the cages can be varied by changing the diboronic acid building block. The cages are able to encapsulate polyaromatic molecules such as triphenylene or coronene.
Rosario Scopelliti, Kay Severin, Farzaneh Fadaei Tirani, Noga Eren
Wendy Lee Queen, Jordi Espin Marti, Mehrdad Asgari, Olga Trukhina, Ilia Kochetygov, Anita Justin