Selective Host–Guest Interactions of a Transformable Coordination Capsule/Tube with Fullerenes

Abstract

Abstract An M 2 L 4 coordination capsule or an M 2 L 2 coordination tube was selectively formed by the combination of Hg II hinges and bent bispyridine ligands. The two structures reversibly interconvert at room temperature in response to modulation of the metal‐to‐ligand ratio and exhibit different host–guest interaction behavior. The capsule alone encapsulates large spherical molecules, fullerenes C 60 and C 70 , and the bound guests are released upon capsule‐to‐tube transformation by the simple addition of metal ions.