Sandwich-type heteroleptic tris(phthalocyaninato) terbium triple-decker: Single crystal structure and self-assembled nanostructures

The single crystal molecular structure of the tris(phthalocyaninato) terbium triple-decker [(Pc)Tb{Pc(OC8H17)8}Tb(Pc)] was determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. Its self-assembling properties in chloroform and n-hexane vapors were comparatively investigated using UV, SEM and XRD techniques. Intermolecular π–π interactions, in cooperation with the van der Waals interaction of the triple-decker complex [(Pc)Tb{Pc(OC8H17)8}Tb(Pc)] and solvent–solute interactions, lead to the formation of dendrite-shaped and cube-shaped nanostructures in chloroform and n-hexane vapors, respectively. UV and XRD results clearly reveal the effect of the solvent on tuning the intermolecular interaction, and in turn, the molecular packing mode in the self-assembled nanostructures of [(Pc)Tb{Pc(OC8H17)8}Tb(Pc)]. Furthermore, the single crystal structure obtained through the present study renders it possible to investigate the formation mechanism as well as the molecular packing conformation of self-assembled nanostructures in a more confirmed manner.