One-Step Multicomponent Self-Assembly of a First-Generation Sierpiński Triangle: From Fractal Design to Chemical Reality

A novel terpyridine-based architecture that mimics a first-generation Sierpiński triangle has been synthesized by multicomponent assembly and features tpyCdIItpy connectivity (tpy=terpyridine). The key terpyridine ligands were synthesized by the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. Mixing two different terpyridine-based ligands and CdII in a precise stoichiometric ratio (1:1:3) produced the desired fractal architecture in near-quantitative yield. Characterization was accomplished by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy