Toward the Design and Construction of Supramolecular Functional Molecular Materials Based on Metal–Metal Interactions

Supramolecular functional materials represent an emerging class of materials that have been governed by the supramolecular chemistry of self-assembled molecules. Such high-order molecular hierarchies have been stabilized by various kinds of noncovalent intermolecular forces including hydrogen bonding, electrostatic, donor–acceptor, π–π stacking interactions, and dispersion forces. Recently, metal–metal interactions have also emerged as an unconventional type of noncovalent interaction that is unique in the metal complex system for the construction of self-assembled metal-based materials. These metal–metal interactions have further imparted the self-assembled materials with rich spectroscopic functionalities. However, the systematic control of these hierarchical architectures through metal–metal interactions remains challenging. In this Perspective, we aim to stimulate research direction in the field with the utilization of such intriguing and unique directional noncovalent metal–metal interactions as one of the driving forces, highlighting the roles and significance of metal–metal interactions and ultimately facilitating a controlled and rational design and synthesis of metallosupramolecular functional materials with rich spectroscopic properties and huge potential for various applications.