Xiao-Ping Zhou, Jie Liu, Shun-Ze Zhan, Ju-Rong Yang, Dan Li,* Kwan-Ming Ng, Raymond Wai-Yin Sun, and Chi-Ming Che.

Abstract: Artificial molecular architecture from a large number of subcomponents (>50) via self-assembly remains a formidable challenge for chemists. Reaction of 38 components [14 Ni²⁺ and 24 N-methyl-1-(4-imidazolyl) methanimine] under solvothermal conditionsreproducibly leads to the formation of a high-symmetry coordination cage. This polyhedral cage can also be obtained in high yield by self-assembly of 62 commercially available subcomponents (24 methylamine, 24 4-formylimidazole, and 14 Ni²⁺) under mild conditions involving synchronized formation of both dynamic covalent bonds and coordination bonds. Guest molecules (e.g., water, methylamine, and methanol) are randomly imprisoned inthe cage.

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