Formation, Assembly, and Function of Nano- and Micron-Sized Coordination Polymer Particles

Coordination polymers with infinite network structures were synthesized by self-assembly between metal ions and organic bridging ligands in solution. By choosing different metal ions and organic ligands, coordination polymers can show various intriguing functions. In particular, functions based on guest inclusion into the coordination networks have attracted much attention from the viewpoint of host-guest chemistry. Importantly, one can rationally form coordination polymers that are either crystalline or amorphous. Crystalline nanoporous structures can adsorb small molecules. On the other hand, an adoptive self-assembly of amorphous networks enables an inclusion of large nanomaterials such as nanoparticles and proteins. Making nano- and micron-sized particles of such functional coordination polymers will lead to a wider range of applications and new functions. This review introduces the methodology of how to prepare coordination nano- and micron-particles, how to assemble the coordination particles into supra-particular structures, and how to functionalize the coordination particles based on guest inclusion phenomena.