Geonwoo Gwak, Seonghyeon An, Dongwon Kim, Martino Di Serio, and Ok-Sang Jung
New J. Chem., 2022, Accepted Manuscript
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1039/D2NJ04751A
Self-assembly of NiX2 (X = Br- and Cl-) with bidentate dialkyl(3-pyridyl)silane ligands (dialkyl- = (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)methyl-(L1), = cyclohexylmethyl- (L2), = ethylmethyl- (L3)) gives rise to stable crystals consisting of the Ni3L6 cage motif. Each cage exists as a discrete species encapsulating two halide anions, but its packing mode determines its guest-accessible void volume. The void volume acts as a sustainable reservoir for reversible adsorption/desorption of water.