Active Redox-Driven Photoselective Self-Organization

Self-organization is a key pathway to achieving high levels of matter complexity. However, an energy-consuming active process, such as a dissipative regime, is essential for adaptation and evolution to occur. In this study, we transform the passive self-organization of a luminescent square planar Pt(II) complex into an active process through the photo or chemical reduction of the corresponding octahedral Pt(IV) complex. This transformation enables the formation of metastable supramolecular fibers, which are inaccessible via conventional methods. The fibers obtained, featuring Pt∙∙∙Pt metallophilic interactions, gain new photophysical properties compared to the monomer, including the ability to absorb visible light up to 550 nm. This enhanced capability allows for selective elongation of fibers, as low-energy irradiation enables the aggregates to convert Pt(IV) to Pt(II) and grow, while preventing the formation of new nuclei.