Controlled supramolecular assembly of gold (III) amphiphiles in aqueous media

Abstract

Supramolecular assemblies of gold complex-based amphiphiles in aqueous media are highly structural sensitive to external environments, providing an attractive prospect for its application in soft functional materials. Notably, the development of a supramolecular assembly transformation of gold (III) amphiphiles directly controlled by counterion exchange is of fundamental importance for exerting the full potential of dynamic supramolecular assembly by external stimuli. Here we present a reversible supramolecular assembly of gold (III) amphiphiles controlled by counterions in aqueous media and their co-assembly with gold nanoparticles.