Metallosupramolecular chemistry is an area which has enjoyed much interest over the last 25 years. The introduction of functionality into these polymetallic systems, in order to achieve well-defined coordination structures, has been the target of many research groups. 

In their Dalton Transactions Perspective, Miguel Julve at the Universitat de Valencia and colleagues from Barcelona, Paris and Montreal look at the 'complex-as-ligand' approach to the design of metallosupramolecular assemblies. 

They focus in particular on the use of a novel family of aromatic oligo-oxamato ligands (AOOXAs) to control the overall structure of systems, ranging from individual molecules to 3D networks. These species exhibit interesting magnetic properties which are new targets in the field of molecular magnetism.

The authors look forward from supramolecular magnetism to supramolecular electronics and nanotechnology.