CHAPTER 6: Supramolecular Transformations of Metallomacrocycles

Due to the relatively rigid yet dynamic nature of the coordination bonds, self-assembled metallomacrocycles have proven to be an ideal platform to study supramolecular transformations in response to various stimuli such as solvents, concentration, anions, guests, change in component fractions or chemical compositions, light, and post-modification reactions. Such interesting supramolecular transformations have allowed for the formation of new metallosupramolecular structures with specific properties and functions. In this chapter, three different types of supramolecular transformations of metallomacrocycles are discussed, classified by the change of structural features along with the stimuli-induced structural interconversions of metallomacrocycles, i.e. between metallomacrocycles and one-dimensional metallosupramolecular polymers; between metallomacrocycles and another two-dimensional metallomacrocycle; and between metallomacrocycles and three-dimensional metallocages.