Selective formation of Bi-component arrays through H-bonding of multivalent molecular modules

Here, the formation of discrete supramolecular mono- and bi-component architectures from novel and multivalent molecular modules bearing complementary recognition moieties that are prone to undergo multiple H-bonds, such as 2,6-di(acetylamino)pyridine and uracil residues, is described. These nanostructured H-bonded arrays, including dimeric and pentameric species, are thoroughly characterized in solution by NMR, in the solid state by FT-IR, and at the solid-liquid interface by means of scanning tunneling microscopy. The employed strategy is extremely versatile as it relies on the tuning of the valency, size, and geometry of the molecular modules; thus, it may be of interest for the bottom-up fabrication of nanostructured functional materials with sub-nanometer precision. © 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.