Controlled Supramolecular Self‐assembly inMOFConfined Spaces

Abstract

The chapter is focused on our recent advances in the construction of well-defined metal organic framework (MOF)-driven self-assembly of supramolecular species. The experimental developments, which reside at the connection between supramolecular and reticular chemistry, are summarized. In particular, the discussion is focused on the use of MOFs – an emerging type of porous functional material capable of acting as vessels or as chemical nanoreactors to template the self-assembly of supramolecular coordination compounds (SCCs) or the growth of small aggregations of metal atoms, close to or within the subnanometric regime, so-called metal nanoclusters (MNCs) that are atomically precise nanoclusters, for application in heterogeneous catalysis. All that with a particular focus on how the MOFs' surface engineering, composition manipulation, and support effects can guarantee their stability while tuning their nuclearity/size and catalytic performance. We will show that their crystallographic characterization is still of critical importance in order to shed light on supramolecular host–guest interactions.