Perspectives in molecular tectonics: from crystalline molecular networks to networks of crystals

Mir Wais Hosseini

Laboratoire de Tectonique Moléculaire, UMR UDS-CNRS 7140, University of Strasbourg, Institut Le Bel, 4, rue Blaise Pascal, 67000 Strasbourg, France, e-mail hosseini@unistra.fr

Bridging the gap between microscopic (atoms and molecules) and macroscopic (materials) worlds is challenging and requires construction strategies. At the intersection of supramolecular and solid state chemistry and material sciences, we have developed an approach called molecular tectonics. This approach is based on supramolecular synthesis of crystalline materials seen as extended periodic molecular networks. Their construction by selfassembly processes results from repetitive molecular recognition events between programed tectons or building blocks. The approach is operational and versatile and allows, not only the design and construction of a variety of organic or hybrid complex architectures and core-shell crystals, but also the welding, under mild condition, of crystals into networks of crystals.

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