Supramolecular self-sorting predicted by a simple harmonic oscillator model†

Macrocycles that encapsulate two guests can self-sort those into homo- and heterodimers. We report here a family of self-sorting homobimetallic Pt(ii) terpyridyl acetylide dimers secured together with a pair of Cucurbit[8]uril macrocycles (CB[8]). The rigid bridging unit between both Pt centers introduces varying “hinge” angles, resulting in disparities in Pt–Pt distances in the heterodimers, and leads to recognition motif mismatch. We found that the self-sorting process can be quantified using a simple model, in which each complex behaves as a simple harmonic oscillator, whose heteroassembly tends to minimize geometry distorsions through C(aryl)–CC–Pt axis deformation.