Ultrathin Supramolecular Architectures Self-Assembled from a C3-Symmetric Synthon for Selective Metal Binding

Ultrathin supramolecular nanoarchitectures are an emerging class of two-dimensional (2D) materials with dynamic features that facilitate their on-demand functions. However, facile and efficient synthesis toward multiple 2D topology by taking advantage of spontaneous self-assembly is limited. In this work, we report the synthesis of ultrathin supramolecular nanoarchitectures from the self-assembly of a π-conjugated C3-symmetric synthon (TBBA) with the benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide core terminated by three carboxylic acids. Supported by the carboxylic acid-amide hydrogen bonding and π-π/CH-π interactions, TBBA self-assemblies into freestanding microsheets with the thickness around 2 nm, demonstrating considerable integrity in different solvent systems or in the presence of carboxylic acid binders such as bipyridines. The deprotonation of the carboxylic acids endows TBBA with the amphiphilicity, allowing for the formation of mixed micelles that are sensitive to transition metal ions. Selectively, TBBA3- shows...