Coordination nanoarchitectonics at interfaces between supramolecular and materials chemistry

Abstract In this review, we briefly introduce recent progresses related to material construction with coordination as a structure-directing driving force based on two concepts: nanoarchitectonics and interfacial processes as well as their conversion into functional nanoporous materials. Nanoarchitectonics aims to architect functional materials and advanced systems from nanometer-scale units and building blocks on the basis of the harmonization of various actions and events. Although coordination has several advantages due to highly directional interactions, exchangeable components, and a multivalent nature, the utilization of coordination chemistry in nanoarchitectonics has not been yet well recognized in current science and technology. Another interesting feature is the interfacial effect added to coordination nanoarchitectonics because interfacial low-dimensional structures often become suitable media to bridge nanoscale phenomena and macroscopic three-dimensional (3D) structures. Indeed, coordination materials with anisotropic and directional properties can be well-created through interfacial processes. Herein, we summarize recent activities in the field of coordination-chemistry-driven materials science, mainly including coordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks, to make readers aware of the deep relation between coordination chemistry and nanoarchitectonics. In addition, we also report in the last section recent examples on the conversion of these coordination structures into novel nanostructured materials in order to connect coordination nanoarchitectonics with useful applications.