Controlled 2D Assembly of Nickel-Seamed Hexameric Pyrogallol[4]arene Nanocapsules

The two-dimensional framework of nickel-seamed hexameric metal–organic nanocapsules has been synthesized by connecting the tailed hydroxyl groups of C-propan-3-ol pyrogallol[4]­arene with adjacent hexameric capsules via nickel-hydroxyl coordination. In addition, functionalization of nanocapsules with multiple pyridine molecules at the capsule surface prevents them from assembling into hierarchical structures and leads to the formation of discrete nickel-seamed pyrogallol[4]­arene nanocapsules. This work shows that surface functionalization of nanocapsules is an effective and innovative method of controlling the assembly of these nanometric building blocks.