Ion-based materials comprising planar charged species

Materials comprising planar units have the propensity to form stacking assemblies with nanoscale architectures and intriguing properties. In this feature article, some recent examples of ion-based materials comprising positively and negatively charged planar species are described. Various ion- based solid and soft materials can be formed by planar charged species alone or with the aid of other components. It is more challenging to prepare planar anions than planar cations; however, the noncovalent association of electronically neutral planar anion receptors and anions is an efficient strategy for the preparation of planar anions. Suitable candidates include dipyrrolyldiketone boron complexes, which exhibit the formation of various receptor-anion complexes and can be used to fabricate advanced materials in combination with countercations. Ion-based materials consisting of planar charged components have potential as electrically conductive materials, resulting from the ordered arrangement of the planar charged species.