Polyhedral
Metal-Imidazolate Cages: Control of Self-Assembly
and Cage to Cage Transformation
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Abstract
A series
of neutral cubic nickel(II)-imidazolate Ni<sub>8</sub>L<sub>12</sub>X<sub>4</sub> cages were prepared by rational choices
of substituents and anions with solvothermal subcomponent self-assembly
technology. Both substituents and halide anions play a critical role
in the formation and stabilization of cubic cages. Changing one of
the factors in the reaction will switch the final structure to a Ni<sub>14</sub>L<sub>24</sub> rhombic dodecahedral cage. The cubic cage
can transform to a large rhombic dodecahedral cage in the presence
of methylamine at room temperature accompanied by a color change from
purple to light yellow
