Fibrous aggregates from dinuclear zinc(II) salphen complexes.

Metal complexes composed of two zinc(II) salphen units that are bridged by a flexible hydrocarbon chain have been synthesized and characterized. Their self-assembled supramolecular structures were studied with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that all of the complexes displayed nanofibrillar morphology and that the surface texture and diameter can be altered by the addition of 4,4'-bipyridine and hydrophobic effects, respectively.