Self-assembly directed by dinuclear zinc(II) macrocyclic species

Supramolecular compounds assembled by dinuclear zinc(II) species containing Robson-type macrocycles and diverse organic subunits (4,4′-bipyridine, 2,2′-bipyridine, pyrazine, 4-aminopyridine, 4-pyridinecarboxylate, pyridine, and quinoline) are reviewed. Various structural motifs such as molecular ladder, molecular ladder element and so forth have been generated. Structural attributes associated with each motif will be elucidated based on unambiguous single crystal X-ray analysis. Hydrogen bonding especially of the non-classical type, involved in the assembly are also discussed because of its crucial impact on the architecture of the final product.