Post-Assembly Covalent Di- and Tetracapping of a Dinuclear [Fe2L3](4+) Triple Helicate and Two [Fe4L6](8+) Tetrahedra Using Sequential Reductive Aminations.

The use of a highly efficient reductive amination procedure for the postsynthetic end-capping of metal-templated helicate and tetrahedral supramolecular structures bearing terminal aldehyde groups is reported. Metal template formation of a [Fe2L3](4+) dinuclear helicate and two [Fe4L6](8+) tetrahedra (where L is a linear ligand incorporating two bipyridine domains separated by one or two 1,4-(2,5-dimethoxyaryl) linkers and terminated by salicylaldehyde functions is described. Postassembly reaction of each of these "open" di- and tetranuclear species with excess ammonium acetate (as a source of ammonia) and sodium cyanoborohydride results in a remarkable reaction sequence whereby the three aldehyde groups terminating each end of the helicate, or each of the four vertices of the respective tetrahedra, react with ammonia then undergo successive reductive amination to yield corresponding fully tertiary-amine capped cryptate and tetrahedral covalent cages.

Hierarchical assembly of discrete copper(II) metallo-structures from pre-assembled dinuclear (bis-ß-diketonato)metallocycles and flexible difunctional co-ligands.

The sequential interaction of preformed [Cu2(L1)2(THF)2] (where H2L1 is 1,1-(1,3-phenylene)-bis(4,4-dimethylpentane-1,3-dione incorporating a 1,3-phenylene linker between its two ß-diketone domains) and [Cu2(L4)2]·2H2O (where H2L4 is 1,1-(4,4'-oxybiphenylene)-bis(4,4-dimethylpentane-1,3-dione) incorporating a flexible oxybiphenylene linkage between the two ß-diketone groups) with the potentially difunctional aliphatic non-planar co-ligands, N-methylpiperazine (mpip), N,N'-dimethylpiperazine (dmpip) and 1,4-thiomorpholine (thiomorph) is reported. A series of extended molecular assemblies exhibiting a range of di- and tetranuclear assemblies were obtained and their X-ray structures determined. Dinuclear [Cu2(L1)2(mpip)2]·2mpip incorporates two 5-coordinate, square pyramidal metal centres as does tetranuclear [{Cu2(L1)2}2(dmpip)2]·2dmpip. In contrast, dinuclear [Cu2(L1)2(dmpip)4]·dmpip and [{Cu2(L1)2}2(thiomorph)4]·3thiomorph each contain two 5-coordinate and two 6-coordinate centres. Each of [Cu2(L4)2(THF)2]·2THF and Cu2(L4)2(mpip)2]·H2O incorporate only 5-coordinate metal centres, with the latter complex forming a one-dimensional hydrogen bonded ribbon-like structure directed along the crystallographic a-axis. In keeping with the documented tendency for the smallest, least strained assembly to form in supramolecular self-assembly processes, the incorporation of the flexible "oxy" linkage between the 4,4'-linked phenylene rings of H2L3 results in generation of a dinuclear [Cu2L2] species rather than a trinuclear (triangular) [Cu3L3] species of the type formed by the more rigid bis-ß-diketonato ligand analogue in which the biphenylene rings separating the ß-diketone domains are directly coupled in their 4,4' positions.

Nickel(II) and iron(II) triple helicates assembled from expanded quaterpyridines incorporating flexible linkages.

In the present study the interaction of Fe(II) and Ni(II) with the related expanded quaterpyridines, 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-bis-(5'-methyl-[2,2']bipyridinyl-5-ylmethoxy)benzene ligands (4-6 respectively), incorporating flexible, bis-aryl/methylene ether linkages in the bridges between the dipyridyl domains, was shown to predominantly result in the assembly of [M(2)L(3)](4+) complexes; although with 4 and 6 there was also evidence for the (minor) formation of the corresponding [M(4)L(6)](8+) species. Overall, this result contrasts with the behaviour of the essentially rigid 'parent' quaterpyridine 1 for which only tetrahedral [M(4)L(6)](8+) cage species were observed when reacted with various Fe(II) salts. It also contrasts with that observed for 2 and 3 incorporating essentially rigid substituted phenylene and biphenylene bridges between the dipyridyl domains where reaction with Fe(II) and Ni(II) yielded both [M(2)L(3)](4+) and [M(4)L(6)](8+) complex types, but in this case it was the latter species that was assigned as the thermodynamically favoured product type. The X-ray structures of the triple helicate complexes [H(2)O⊂Ni(2)(4)(3)](PF(6))(4)·THF·2.2H(2)O, [Ni(2)(6)(3)](PF(6))(4)·1.95MeCN·1.2THF·1.8H(2)O, and the very unusual triple helicate PF(6)(-) inclusion complex, [(PF(6))⊂Ni(2)(5)(3)](PF(6))(3)·1.75MeCN·5.25THF·0.25H(2)O are reported.

New nickel(II) and iron(II) helicates and tetrahedra derived from expanded quaterpyridines.

As an extension of prior studies involving the linear quaterpyridine ligand, 5,5'''-dimethyl-2,2':5',5'':2'',2'''-quaterpyridine 1, the synthesis of the related expanded quaterpyridine derivatives 2 and 3 incorporating dimethoxy-substituted 1,4-phenylene and tetramethoxy-substituted 4,4'-biphenylene bridges between pairs of 2,2'-bipyridyl groups has been carried out via double-Suzuki coupling reactions between 5-bromo-5'-methyl-2'-bipyridine and the appropriate di-pinacol-diboronic esters using microwave heating. Reaction of 2 and 3 with selected Fe(II) or Ni(II) salts yields a mixture of both [M(2)L(3)](4+) triple helicates and [M(4)L(6)](8+) tetrahedra, in particular cases the ratio of the products formed was shown to be dependent on the reaction conditions; the respective products are all sufficiently inert to allow their chromatographic separation and isolation. Longer reaction times and higher concentrations were found to favour tetrahedron formation. The X-ray structures of solvated [Ni(2)(2)(3)](PF(6))(4), [(PF(6)) ⊂ Fe(4)(2)(6)](PF(6))(7), [Fe(4)(3)(6)](PF(6))(8) and [Ni(4)(3)(6)](PF(6))(8) have been determined, while the structure of the parent Fe(II) cage in the series, [(PF(6)) ⊂ Fe(4)(1)(6)](PF(6))(7), was reported previously. The internal volumes of the Fe(II) tetrahedral cages have been calculated and increase from 102 Å(3) for [Fe(4)(1)(6)](8+) to 227 Å(3) for [Fe(4)(2)(6)](8+) to 417 Å(3) for [Fe(4)(3)(6)](8+) and to an impressive 839 Å(3) for [Ni(4)(3)(6)](8+). The corresponding void volume in the triple helicate [Ni(2)(2)(3)](4+) is 29 Å(3).

An expanded neutral M4L6 cage that encapsulates four tetrahydrofuran molecules.

A large 4,4'-biphenylene-spaced bis-ß-diketone ligand is demonstrated to form a neutral tetrahedral M(4)L(6) metal-organic cage that encloses a volume of 844 Å(3) and encapsulates four tetrahydrofuran guest molecules.

Metallosupramolecular self-assembly of a universal 3-ravel.

In the realm of supramolecular chemistry, a small number of intricately interwoven structures that bridge the boundaries between art and science have been reported. These motifs, which typically form on the nanometre scale, display both considerable beauty and complexity. However, the generation of new topologies of this type has remained a very significant synthetic challenge. Here, we describe the synthesis of a discrete highly intertwined metallosupramolecular assembly based on a universal 3-ravel motif-a topology as yet unprecedented in supramolecular chemistry. The exotic, 20-component, [Fe(8)L(12)] ravel entanglement may be considered as a 'branched knot', with individual molecules displaying either left- or right-handed chirality. The formation of this cluster was demonstrated by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction. The arrangement is stabilized by a favourable combination of π-π interactions and Nature's tendency to minimize voids in molecular architectures.

New discrete and polymeric supramolecular architectures derived from dinuclear Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of aryl-linked bis-beta-diketonato ligands and nitrogen bases: synthetic, structural and high pressure studies.

New examples of nitrogen base adducts of dinuclear Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of the doubly deprotonated forms of 1,3-aryl linked bis-beta-diketones of type [RC(=O)CH(2)C(=O)C(6)H(4)C(=O)CH(2)C(=O)R] (L(1)H(2)) incorporating the mono- and difunctional amine bases pyridine (Py), 4-ethylpyridine (EtPy), piperidine (pipi), 1,4-piperazine (pip), N-methylmorpholine (mmorph), 1,4-dimethylpiperazine (dmpip) and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmen) have been synthesised by reaction of the previously reported [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)].2.5THF (R = Me), [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)(THF)(2)] (R = t-Bu), [Ni(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(4)] (R = t-Bu) and [Co(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(4)] (R = t-Bu) complexes with individual bases of the above type. Comparative X-ray structural studies involving all ten base adduct derivatives have been obtained and reveal a range of interesting discrete and polymeric molecular architectures. The respective products have the following stoichiometries: [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(2)].Py (R = Me), [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)(EtPy)(2)].2EtPy (R = t-Bu), [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)(pipi)(2)].2pipi (R = t-Bu), [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)(mmorph)(2)] (R = t-Bu), [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)(tmen)(2)] (R = t-Bu) and {[Cu(2)(L(1))(2)(pip)].pip.2THF}(n), [Co(2)(L(1))(2)(tmen)(2)] (R = t-Bu), [Ni(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(4)].dmpip (R = t-Bu), [Ni(2)(L(1))(2)(pipi)(4)].pipi (R = t-Bu) and [Ni(2)(L(1))(2)(tmen)(2)] (R = t-Bu). The effect of pressure on the X-ray structure of [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)(mmorph)(2)] has been investigated. An increase in pressure from ambient to 9.1 kbar resulted in modest changes to the unit cell parameters as well as a corresponding decrease of 6.7 percent in the unit cell volume. While a small 'shearing' motion occurs between adjacent molecular units throughout the lattice, no existing bonds are broken or new bonds formed.

A new FeII quaterpyridyl M4L6 tetrahedron exhibiting selective anion binding.

A rigid linear bis-bidentate quaterpyridine undergoes metal directed self-assembly with iron(ii) salts yielding M(4)L(6) host-guest complexes; selective anion binding for PF(6)(-) over BF(4)(-) is observed.

Synthetic, structural, electrochemical and solvent extraction studies of neutral trinuclear Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) metallocycles and tetrahedral tetranuclear Fe(III) species incorporating 1,4-aryl-linked bis-beta-diketonato ligands.

Uncharged complexes, formulated as trimeric metallocycles of type [M3(L(1))3(Py)6] (where M = cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) and L(1) is the doubly deprotonated form of a 1,4-phenylene linked bis-beta-diketone ligand of type 1,4-bis(RC(O)CH2C(O))C6H4 (R = t-Bu)) have been synthesised, adding to related, previously reported complexes of these metals with L(1) (R = Ph) and copper(ii) with L(1) (R = Me, Et, Pr, t-Bu, Ph). New lipophilic ligand derivatives with R = hexyl, octyl or nonyl were also prepared for use in solvent extraction experiments. The X-ray structures of H2L(1) (R = t-Bu) and of its trinuclear (triangular) nickel(II) complex [Ni3(L(1))3(Py)6].3.5Py (R = t-Bu) are also presented. Electrochemical studies of H2L(1), [Co3(L(1))3(Py)6], [Ni3(L(1))3(Py)6], [Cu3(L(1))3], [Zn3(L(1))3(Py)6] and [Fe4(L(1))6] (all with R = t-Bu) show that oxidative processes for the complexes are predominantly irreversible, but several examples of quasireversible behaviour also occur and support the assignment of an anodic process, seen between +1.0 and +1.6 V, as involving metal-centred oxidations. The reduction behaviour for the respective metal complexes is not simple, being irreversible in most cases. Solvent extraction studies (water/chloroform) involving the systematic variation of the metal, bis-beta-diketone and heterocyclic base concentrations have been performed for cobalt(II) and zinc(II) using a radiotracer technique in order to probe the stoichiometries of the respective extracted species. Significant extraction synergism was observed when 4-ethylpyridine was also present with the bis-beta-diketone ligand in the chloroform phase. Competitive extraction studies demonstrated a clear uptake preference for copper(II) over cobalt(II), nickel(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II).

5,5'-Bis[(trimethyl-silyl)meth-yl]-2,2'-bipyridine.

The mol-ecule of the title compound, C(18)H(28)N(2)Si(2), occupies a special position on an inversion centre. The Si-CH(2)-C(ipso) plane is approximately orthogonal to the plane of the pyridine rings, the corresponding dihedral angle being 82.0 (2)°.

Neutral (bis-beta-diketonato) iron(III), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) metallocycles: structural, electrochemical and solvent extraction studies.

Neutral dimeric metallocyclic complexes of type [M(2)(L(1))(2)B(n)] (where M = cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II), L(1) is the doubly deprotonated form of a 1,3-aryl linked bis-beta-diketone ligand of type 1,3-bis(RC(O)CH(2)C(O))C(6)H(4) (R=Me, n-Pr, t-Bu) and B is pyridine (Py) or 4-ethylpyridine (EtPy)) have been synthesised, adding to similar complexes already reported for copper(II). New lipophilic ligand derivatives with R = octyl or nonyl were also prepared for use in solvent extraction experiments. Structural, electrochemical and solvent extraction investigations of selected metal complex systems from the above series are reported, with the X-ray structures of [Co(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(4)] x 2.25CHCl(3) x 0.5H(2)O (R=Pr), [Co(2)(L(1))(2)(EtPy)(4)] (R=t-Bu), [Ni(2)(L(1))(2)(EtPy)(4)] (R=t-Bu), [Zn(2)(L(1))(2)(EtPy)(2)] (R=Me) and [Zn(2)(L(1))(2)(EtPy)(4)] (R=t-Bu) being presented. The electrochemistry of H(2)L(1) (R=t-Bu) and of [Fe(2)(L(1))(3)], [Co(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(4)], [Ni(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(4)], [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)] and [Zn(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(2)] has been examined. Oxidative processes for the complexes are dominantly irreversible, but several examples of quasireversible behaviour were observed and support the assignment of an anodic process, seen between +1.0 and +1.6 V, as a metal-centred oxidation. The reduction processes for the respective metal complexes are not simple, and irreversible in most cases. Solvent extraction studies (water/chloroform) involving variable concentrations of metal, bis-beta-diketone and heterocyclic base have been performed for cobalt(II) and zinc(II) using a radiotracer technique to probe the stoichiometries of the extracted species in each case. Synergism was observed when 4-ethylpyridine was added to the bis-beta-diketone ligand in the chloroform phase. Competitive extraction studies show a clear uptake preference for copper(II) over cobalt(II), nickel(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II).

Rational ligand design for metal ion recognition. Synthesis of a N-benzylated N2S3-donor macrocycle for enhanced silver(I) discrimination.

Four previously documented ligand design strategies for achieving Ag(I) discrimination have been applied to the design of a new N-benzylated N2S3-donor macrocycle; the latter shows high selectivity for Ag(I) over Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) in log K and bulk membrane transport studies.

Manganese(II), iron(II), cobalt(II), and copper(II) complexes of an extended inherently chiral tris-bipyridyl cage.

Manganese(II), iron(II), cobalt(II), and copper(II) derivatives of two inherently chiral, Tris(bipyridyl) cages (L and L') of type [ML]-(PF(6))(2)(solvent)(n) and [FeL'](ClO(4))(2) are reported, where L is the hexa-tertiary butyl-substituted derivative of L'. These products were obtained by using the free cage and metal template procedures; the latter involved the reductive amination of the respective Tris-dialdehyde precursor complexes of iron(II), cobalt(II), or nickel(II). Electrochemical, EPR, and NMR studies have been used to probe the nature of the individual complexes. X-ray structures of the manganese(II), iron(II), and copper(II) complexes of L and the iron(II) complex of L' are presented; these are compared with the previously reported structures of the corresponding nickel(II) complex and metal-free cage (L). In each complex the metal cation occupies the cage's central cavity and is coordinated to six nitrogens from the three bipyridyl groups. The cations [MnL](2+) and [FeL](2+) are isostructural but both exhibit a different arrangement of the bound cage to that observed in the corresponding nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes. The latter have an exo-exo arrangement of the bridgehead nitrogen lone pairs, with the metal inducing a triple helical twist that extends approximately 22 A along the axial length of each complex. In contrast, [MnL](2+) and [FeL](2+) have their terminal nitrogen lone pairs directed endo, causing a significant change in the configuration of the bound ligand. In [FeL'](2+), the cage has both bridgehead nitrogen lone pairs orientated exo. Semiempirical calculations indicate that the observed endo-endo and exo-exo arrangements are of comparable energy.

Inherent helicity in an extended tris-bipyridyl molecular cage.

A new molecular cage incorporating three bipyridyl units has been synthesised by a conventional multi-step procedure as well as, much more efficiently, by a Ni(ii) template procedure; an X-ray structure of the nickel complex shows that it adopts an exo configuration of each of the bridgehead nitrogen lone pairs, the central metal ion acts to promote a triple helical twist that extends [similar]22 [Angstrom] along the axial length of the molecule.

A second generation dendrimer incorporating nine S2N2-donor macrocycles and its palladium(II) complex.

A new second generation dendrimer incorporating nine S2N2-donor macrocyclic units that bind nine Pd(II) cations is reported.