Controlling the aggregation and assembly of boron-containing molecular and polymeric materials

Abstract

Boron-containing molecules and polymers are attractive as powerful tunable Lewis acids for small molecule activation and catalysis, as luminescent materials for organic electronic device and (bio)imaging applications, and as smart chemical sensors. While the characteristics of the boron-containing building blocks are attractive in and of themselves, their assembly into higher order supramolecular materials offers access to unique properties and emerging functions. Herein, we highlight recent achievements in the field of aggregated organoboron materials. We discuss how supramolecular interactions can be exploited to precisely control the structure of the assemblies and impact their functions as luminescent materials, recyclable and smart catalyst systems, chemical sensors, stimuli-responsive and self-healing materials.