Abstract
High-order cycloaddition offers a direct and powerful strategy for constructing medium-sized architectures, but it is often limited by low yields and poor stereoselectivity. Here, we report a template- assisted [6+6] photodimerization reaction, which is achieved via the self-assembly of a two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymer (CP) CP1. The coordination template precisely organizes the reactants. Under irradiation with visible light or natural sunlight, the [6+6] photodimerization proceeds in an environmentally friendly and selective manner. To demonstrate the universality and functionality of this strategy, we introduce methoxy-functionalized ligands to construct CP2, which not only undergoes the same [6+6] cycloaddition reactions but also exhibits temperature-responsive properties. The combination of CP1 and CP2 with Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and MXene (2D transition-metal carbides) further enhances their actuation properties, making them suitable for adaptive materials. This work establishes a milestone in template-assisted cycloaddition reactions, offering an approach to achieving higher-order cycloadditions and expanding the development of crystal adaptronics.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Advanced Analysis and Measurement Center of Yunnan University for the sample testing service. The authors thank the technical support from the Electron Microscopy Center of Yunnan University for the [e.g., microstructural] characterization. This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 22561052 to L.D.), the Ten Thousand Talent Plans for Young Top-notch Talents of Yunnan Province (No. YNWR-QNBJ-2019-088 to L.D.), the Project of Yunnan Characteristic Plant Screening and R&D Service CXO Platform (2022YKZY001 to Q.Z.) and the Postgraduate Research and Innovation Foundation of Yunnan University (No. KC-252513467 to J.M.).
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Wang, L., Wang, SY., Man, JF. et al. Template-assisted [6+6] cycloaddition for the construction of photothermally responsive functional materials. Nat Commun (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-73908-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-73908-1
