Self-Assembly Process of a Pd L Capsule: Steric Interactions between Neighboring Components Favor the Formation of Large Intermediates.

The effect of molecular interactions between the components on the self-assembly process of Pd L structures was investigated by a H NMR-based quantitative approach (QASAP: quantitative analysis of self-assembly process). Although the self-assembly of the Pd L cage without interactions between the bent ligands took place, mainly producing small intermediates, the self-assembly of the Pd L capsule composed of bent ligands with anthracene panels tends to produce large intermediates containing more components than the capsule. This is ascribed to steric interactions between the panels.