Effects of length alteration of OPE-containing mono- and dinuclear alkynylplatinum(II) terpyridine complexes on photophysical, structural and morphological properties

A series of mononuclear complexes and unsymmetric dinuclear alkynylplatinum(II) terpyridine complexes with oligo(para-phenylene ethynylene) (OPE)-derived backbone with a variation of the lengths of alkoxy chains and OPE backbones was synthesized. The morphological properties, packing lattice and gelation behaviors of the mononuclear complexes were systematically studied, and the thermodynamic parameters and packing lattices of the dinuclear complexes were also investigated, providing further insights into the roles of the non-covalent interactions and their delicate balance in constructing sophisticated supramolecular architectures. Metallogel and nanotube formation have been observed upon a delicate control of the intermolecular interactions by altering the lengths and structural dimensions of the complexes.