Precise Dimerization of Hollow Fullerene Compartments

Controlled docking, merging, and welding of hollow structures at the nanoscale are essential in constructing sophisticated hollow systems in ways similar to plumbing and biosystems. To this end, regioselectivity is an important milestone demanding new tools. We bring the steric effect, a powerful regioselective method in organic reactions, to the nanoscale. By tuning the exposed liquid area of Janus nanobowls, the sterics of the merging m-xylene liquid template can be precisely modulated, giving high-purity dimers (93.6%) and tetramers (80.6%) in one step. The shape uniformity of the nanobowls, the precise percentage of the exposed liquid, and, most importantly, the error correction in merging liquid domains are the critical factors leading to the precise regioselectivity. We believe that the development of a new regioselective tool and the understanding in docking and welding hollow structures would expand the horizon of nanoscience, opening new possibilities for designing sophisticated nanosystems.