Self-assembly of metal-organometallic coordination networks

A range of neutral metal-organometallic coordination networks (MOMNs) containing both backbone and pendant metal sites have been synthesized and characterized. These materials consist of metal ions or metal ion clusters as nodes that are linked by the bifunctional “organometalloligand” (η⁴-benzoquinone)Mn(CO)₃⁻, which binds through the quinone oxygen atoms. The resulting MOMNs can be rationally designed to a significant extent based upon a knowledge of the electronic and geometrical requirements of the metal ion nodes, the solvent, organometalloligand substituents, and the presence or absence of organic spacers. An impressive range of architectures have been accessed in this manner, suggesting that the use of π-organometallics in coordination directed self-assembly holds much promise.