Regulated Adaptive Self-Assembly of Cu3I3 Supramolecular Clusters and their Photocatalytic Properties

ABSTRACT: The regulated self-assembly of adjustable-structure cuprous iodide cluster-based supramolecules still presents a significant challenge. In this study, we adopt two flexible quinoline-based ligands (L1 and L2), which can form a C3symmetric cavity through conformation vibration. By the employment of a conformation-adaptive self-assembly strategy, a high yield of two host-guest-encapsulated cuprous iodide cluster-based supramolecular architectures [(Cu3I3)L1-2] (C1 and C2) is precisely synthesized. The trapped Cu3I3 cyclic core is supported by organic ligands via Cu-N and Cu-O synergistic coordination bonds, associated with metal-metal bonding interactions. These neutral supramolecular clusters, C1 and C2, exhibit red emissions in the solid state and blue emissions in the solution. Additionally, such trinuclear clusters demonstrate high photocatalytic activity with azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions in water.