Constructing supramolecular cages
with multiple subunits via weak
intermolecular interactions is a long-standing challenge in chemistry.
So far, π-stacked supramolecular cages still remain unexplored.
Here, we report a series of π-stacked cage based hierarchical
self-assemblies. The π-stacked cage (π-MX-cage) is assembled
from 16 [MXL]+ ions (M = Mn2+, Co2+; X = Br–, SCN–, Cl–; and L = tris(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)amine) via 18 intermolecular
π-stacking interactions. The tetrahedral cage, consisting of
four [MXL]+ ions as the vertexes and six pairs of [MXL]+ ions as the edges, features 48 exterior N–H hydrogen
bond donors for hydrogen bond formation with guest molecules. By variation
of the M2+/X– pair, the π-MX-cage
demonstrates unique versatility for incorporating a wide variety of
species via different hydrogen-bonding modes during the assembly of
hierarchical superstructures. In specific, the π-MnBr-cages
encapsulate acetonitrile (CH3CN) or cis-1,3,5-cyclohexanetricarbonitrile (cis-HTN)
molecules in the central voids, while a core–shell tetrahedral
inorganic cluster [Mn(H2O)6]@([Mn(H2O)4]4[Br4
2–]6) (Mn@Mn4-cage) is captured within the interstitial
regions between cages. The π-CoSCN-cages are capable of stabilizing
reactive sulfur-containing species, such as S2O4
2–, S2O6
2–, and HSO3
– ions, in the hierarchical
superstructure. Finally, H2PO4
– ions are incorporated between π-CoCl-cages, resulting in an
inorganic mesoporous framework. These results provide insights into
further exploring the chemistry and hierarchical assembly of supramolecular
cages based on π–π stacking intermolecular interactions.