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A cage-based anionic Na(i)–organic framework with a unique Na9 cluster-based secondary building unit and a cage-in-cage structure was constructed. The selective separation of dyes with different charges and sizes was investigated. Furthermore, the Rh6G@MOF composite could be applied as a recyclable fluorescent sensor for detecting picric acid (PA) with high sensitivity and selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incorporating the in situ formed size-matching molecular building blocks (MBBs) into the open channels will remarkably improve the robustness and gas sorption performance of an evacuated metal–organic framework. As a result, such MBBs can transfer the open metal sites from the framework walls to the channel centers and separate the large channels into multiple smaller voids, leading to a molecular sieving effect and high-performance gas-separation of the modified material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of homogeneous, water-soluble periodic self-assembled structures comprise repeating units that produce porosity in two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) spaces has become a topic of growing interest in the field of supramolecular chemistry. Such novel self-assembled entities, known as supramolecular organic frameworks (SOFs), are the result of programmed host–guest interactions, which allows for the thermodynamically controlled generation of monolayer sheets or a diamondoid architecture with regular internal cavities or pores under mild conditions. This feature article aims at propagating the conceptually novel SOFs as a new entry into conventional supramolecular polymers. In the first section, we will describe the background of porous solid frameworks and supramolecular polymers. We then introduce the self-assembling behaviour of several multitopic flexible molecules, which is closely related to the design of periodic SOFs from rigid multitopic building blocks. This is followed by a brief discussion of cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8])-encapsulation-enhanced aromatic stacking in water. The three-component host–guest pattern based on this stacking motif has been utilized to drive the formation of most of the new SOFs. In the following two sections, we will highlight the main advances in the construction of 2D and 3D SOFs and the related functional aspects. Finally, we will offer our opinions on future directions for both structures and functions. We hope that this article will trigger the interest of researchers in the field of chemistry, physics, biology and materials science, which should help accelerate the applications of this new family of soft self-assembled organic frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a supramolecular sensor array based on a series of heteromultivalent macrocyclic coassemblies using amphiphilic calixarenes and cyclodextrin as the building blocks for cell recognition. The corresponding cross-reactivity between the coassemblies and cells served as the unique fingerprint for cell classification, and successfully identified the normal cell lines, cancerous cell lines, and cross-contaminated cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pH-triggering supramolecular antibacterial photosensitizer was constructed by host–guest interaction between a water-soluble porphyrin photosensitizer and carboxylatopillar[5]arene (P[5]). The formation of the supramolecular complex not only improves the biocompatibility of the photosensitizer, but also enhances antibacterial efficacy by pH-triggering dissociation under the low pH bacterial microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the postmodification of a diamondoid 3D supramolecular organic framework (SOF) to append [Ru(BPY)3]2+ groups through the formation of a hydrazone bond. The resulting SOF works as an efficient recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for visible-light-induced reduction of aromatic azides to amines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A supramolecular photosensitizer was constructed using a tetra-adamantane-functionalized porphyrin and a dimer of permethyl-β-cyclodextrin through host–guest interaction and self-assembly. The porphyrin/cyclodextrin alternating structure of supramolecular photosensitizers not only enhances the water solubility of the photosensitizers, but also effectively inhibits the aggregation-induced quenching of porphyrin photosensitizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polystyrene (PS) with pendant gold nanoparticles and PS-coated Fe3O4nanoparticles self-assemble into vesicle structures with PS and PS-coated Fe3O4nanoparticles in the wall and gold nanoparticles in the shell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]