N-Heterocyclic carbenes as toolkits for the preparation of supramolecular assemblies and switchable catalysts

During the last six years we devoted our research toward broadening the applications of planar extended -conjugated NHC ligands for the preparation of organometallic-based supramolecular structures,[1] including their use as hosts for some selected organic and inorganic guests, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), fullerenes and square planar metal complexes. We also described a series of di-gold(I)-based metallotweezers,[2] and even a new mechanically interlocked molecule (MIM) that we named clippane.[3] In a more recent contribution, we described a new molecular shuttle based on a nanosized ‘slit-like’ metallobox.[4]
In addition to this, we recently focused our attention on the design of supramolecular- and redox-switchable catalysts based on the use of metal complexes bearing NHC ligands functionalized with a naphthalene-di-imide core.[5] We will show how these redox/supramolecular switchable catalysts can be used for unveiling key information about the mechanism of certain catalytic reactions.

References
[1] S. Ibáñez, M. Poyatos, E. Peris, Acc. Chem. Res. 2020, 53, 1401–1413.
[2] a) S. Ibáñez, M. Poyatos, E. Peris, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 9786-9790; b) S. Ibáñez, M. Poyatos, E. Peris, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 16816-16820.
[3] S. Ibáñez, C. Vicent, E. Peris, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, 61, e202112513.
[4] S. Ibáñez, P. Salvà, L. N. Dawe, E. Peris, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202318829.
[5] a) C. Ruiz-Zambrana, A. Gutierrez-Blanco, S. Gonell, M. Poyatos, E. Peris, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 20003-20011; b) C. Ruiz-Zambrana, M. Poyatos, E. Peris, ACS Catal. 2022, 12, 4465-4472; c) S. Martínez-Vivas, D. G. Gusev, M. Poyatos, E. Peris, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e202313899; d) S. Martinez-Vivas, M. Poyatos, E. Peris, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e202307198.