Many metal–organic cages (MOCs) and a few hydrogen-bonded organic cages (HOCs) have been investigated, but little is reported about cooperative self-assembly of MOCs and HOCs. Herein, we describe an unprecedented MOC&HOC co-crystal composed of tetrahedral Ti4L6(L=embonate) cages and in-situ-generated [(NH3)4(TIPA)4](TIPA=tris(4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)phenyl)amine) cages. Chiral transfer is observed from the enantiopure Ti4L6 cage to enantiopure [(NH3)4(TIPA)4] cage. Two homochiral supramolecular frameworks with opposite handedness (PTC-235(Δ) and PTC-235(Λ)) are formed. Such MOC&HOC cocrystal features high stability in water and other solvents, affording single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation to trap CH3CN molecules and identify disordered NH4+ cations. A tablet pressing method is developed to test the third-order nonlinear optical property of KBr-based PTC-235 thin film. Such a thin film exhibits an excellent optical limiting effect.

Combining a titanium–organic cage and a hydrogen-bonded organic cage for highly effective third-order nonlinear optics

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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