AbstractThrough a coordination‐driven self‐assembly method, four
metalla‐links and one tetranuclear monocycle were constructed with high selectivity and yield by adjusting the substituent species of the building blocks, as evidenced using X‐ray crystallographic analysis, electrospray ionization‐time‐of‐flight/mass spectrometry (ESI‐TOF/MS), elemental analysis and detailed solution‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Based on X‐ray crystallographic analysis and independent gradient model analysis, a significant factor leading to the formation of
metalla‐links was the introduction of F, Cl, Br and I atoms, which generated additional weak C−H⋅⋅⋅X (X=F, Cl, Br and I) interactions. Furthermore, the dynamic conversion of
metalla‐links to monocyclic rings in methanol solution was systematically investigated using quantitative 1H NMR techniques.