Template-free hierarchical self-assembly of a pyrene derivative into supramolecular nanorods.

The accurate molecular design of organic building blocks is of great importance for the creation of large supramolecular entities with precise dimensional organisation. Herein we report on the design of a new pyrene derivative that yields, through a hierarchical self-assembly process and in the absence of template, stable and well defined nanorods. X-ray diffraction studies allowed elucidation of the three dimensional packing of this pyrene derivative within the self-assembled nanorods.