Chiral Self‐Discrimination and Guest Recognition in Helicene‐Based Coordination Cages

Chiral nanosized confinements play a major role for enantioselective recognition and reaction control in biological systems. Supramolecular self‐assembly gives access to artificial mimics with tunable sizes and properties. Herein, a new family of [Pd₂L₄] coordination cages based on a chiral [6]helicene backbone is introduced. A racemic mixture of the bis‐monodentate pyridyl ligand L¹ selectively assembles with Pd^II cations under chiral self‐discrimination to an achiral meso cage, cis‐[Pd₂ L^1P ₂ L^1M ₂]. Enantiopure L¹ forms homochiral cages [Pd₂ L^1P/M ₄]. A longer derivative L² forms chiral cages [Pd₂ L^2P/M ₄] with larger cavities, which bind optical isomers of chiral guests with different affinities. Owing to its distinct chiroptical properties, this cage can distinguish non‐chiral guests of different lengths, as they were found to squeeze or elongate the cavity under modulation of the helical pitch of the helicenes. The CD spectroscopic results were supported by ion mobility mass spectrometry.     

Anionic Palladium(0) and Palladium(II) Ate Complexes

Palladium ate complexes are frequently invoked as important intermediates in Heck and cross‐coupling reactions, but so far have largely eluded characterization at the molecular level. Here, we use electrospray‐ionization mass spectrometry, electrical conductivity measurements, and NMR spectroscopy to show that the electron‐poor catalyst [L₃Pd] (L=tris[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]phosphine) readily reacts with Br⁻ ions to afford the anionic, zero‐valent ate complex [L₃PdBr]⁻. In contrast, more‐electron‐rich Pd catalysts display lower tendencies toward the formation of ate complexes. Combining [L₃Pd] with LiI and an aryl iodide substrate (ArI) results in the observation of the Pd^II ate complex [L₂Pd(Ar)I₂]⁻.     

Solvent‐Dependent Self‐Assembly Behaviour and Speciation Control of Pd6L8 Metallo‐supramolecular Cages

The C₃‐symmetric chiral propylated host‐type ligands (±)‐tris(isonicotinoyl)‐tris(propyl)‐cyclotricatechylene ( L1 ) and (±)‐tris(4‐pyridyl‐4‐benzoxy)‐tris(propyl)‐cyclotricatechylene ( L2 ) self‐assemble with Pd^II into [Pd₆L₈]¹²⁺ metallo‐cages that resemble a stella octangula. The self‐assembly of the [Pd₆( L1 )₈]¹²⁺ cage is solvent‐dependent; broad NMR resonances and a disordered crystal structure indicate no chiral self‐sorting of the ligand enantiomers in DMSO solution, but sharp NMR resonances occur in MeCN or MeNO₂. The [Pd₆( L1 )₈]¹²⁺ cage is observed to be less favourable in the presence of additional ligand, than is its counterpart, where L=(±)‐tris(isonicotinoyl)cyclotriguaiacylene ( L1 a ). The stoichiometry of reactant mixtures and chemical triggers can be used to control formation of mixtures of homoleptic or heteroleptic [Pd₆L₈]¹²⁺ metallo‐cages where L= L1 and L1 a .     

Stoichiometrically Controlled Revocable Self‐Assembled “Spiro” versus Quadruple‐Stranded “Double‐Decker” Type Coordination Cages

The simple combination of Pd^II with the tris‐monodentate ligand bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl) pyridine‐3,5‐dicarboxylate, L , at ratios of 1:2 and 3:4 demonstrated the stoichiometrically controlled exclusive formation of the “spiro‐type” Pd₁L₂ macrocycle, 1 , and the quadruple‐stranded Pd₃L₄ cage, 2 , respectively. The architecture of 2 is elaborated with two compartments that can accommodate two units of fluoride, chloride, or bromide ions, one in each of the enclosures. However, the entry of iodide is altogether restricted. Complexes 1 and 2 are interconvertible under suitable conditions.     

Desymmetrization of an Octahedral Coordination Complex Inside a Self‐Assembled Exoskeleton

The synthesis of a centrally functionalized, ribbon‐shaped [6]polynorbornane ligand L that self‐assembles with Pd^II cations into a {Pd₂ L ₄} coordination cage is reported. The shape‐persistent {Pd₂ L ₄} cage contains two axial cationic centers and an array of four equatorial H‐bond donors pointing directly towards the center of the cavity. This precisely defined supramolecular environment is complementary to the geometry of classic octahedral complexes [M(XY)₆] with six diatomic ligands. Very strong binding of [Pt(CN)₆]^2? to the cage was observed, with the structure of the host–guest complex {[Pt(CN)₆]@Pd₂L₄} supported by NMR spectroscopy, MS, and X‐ray data. The self‐assembled shell imprints its geometry on the encapsulated guest, and desymmetrization of the octahedral platinum species by the influence of the D_4h‐symmetric second coordination sphere was evidenced by IR spectroscopy. [Fe(CN)₆]^3? and square‐planar [Pt(CN)₄]^2? were strongly bound. Smaller octahedral anions such as [SiF₆]^2?, neutral carbonyl complexes ([M(CO)₆]; M=Cr, Mo, W) and the linear [Ag(CN)₂]^? anion were only weakly bound, showing that both size and charge match are key factors for high‐affinity binding.     

Metal Complexes for the Vinyl Addition Polymerization of Norbornene: New Compound Classes and Activation Mechanism with B(C6F5)3/AlEt3

Classes of mainly nickel(II) and palladium(II) complexes are comparatively presented in their norbornene polymerization activity to vinyl polynorbornene when activated with methylalumoxane, MAO, tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane/triethylaluminum, B(C₆F₅)₃/AlEt₃ or even B(C₆F₅)₃ alone. Classes include Ni and Pd complexes with α-dioxime ligands, salts with [PdCl₄]²⁻ and [Pd₂Cl₆]²⁻ units, dinuclear Ni and Pd complexes with multidentate Schiff-base ligands, polynuclear Ni- and Cr/Ni-carboxylate cage complexes, and dihalo(bisphosphane) Ni and Pd complexes. The study of activation mechanism by ³¹P- and ¹⁹F-NMR together with X-ray structural data points to the formation of PdCl₂ units and “naked” Pd²⁺ cations as highly active species.     

The Quest for PdII–PdII Interactions: Structural and Spectroscopic Studies and Ab Initio Calculations on Dinuclear [Pd2(CN)4(μ‐diphosphane)2] Complexes

Structural and spectroscopic properties of and theoretical investigations on dinuclear [Pd₂(CN)₄(P–P)₂] (P–P=bis(dicyclohexylphosphanyl)methane ( 1 ), bis(dimethylphosphanyl)methane ( 2 )) and mononuclear trans‐[Pd(CN)₂(PCy₃)₂] ( 3 ) complexes are described. Xray structural analyses reveal Pd???Pd distances of 3.0432(7) and 3.307(4) Å in 1 and 2 , respectively. The absorption bands at λ>270 nm in 1 and 2 have 4d →5p_σ electronic‐transition character. Calculations at the CIS level indicate that the two low‐lying dipole‐allowed electronic transition bands in model complex [Pd₂(CN)₄(μ‐H₂PCH₂PH₂)₂] at 303 and 289 nm are due to combinations of many orbital transitions. The calculated interaction‐energy curve for the skewed dimer [{trans‐[Pd(CN)₂(PH₃)₂]}₂] is attractive at the MP2 level and implies the existence of a weak Pd^II–Pd^II interaction.     

Homoleptic Platinum(II) and Palladium(II) Organothiolates and Phenylselenolates: Solvothermal Synthesis,Structural Determination,Optical Properties,and Single‐Source Precursors for PdSe and PdS Nanocrystals

Homoleptic d⁸‐metal organothiolates and phenylselenolates [M(EC₆H₅)₂]_∞ (E=S, M=Pt 1 , M=Pd 2 , M=Ni 5 ; E=Se, M=Pt 3 , M=Pd 4 ) were prepared as crystalline solids under solvothermal conditions. Their structures were solved using powder X‐ray diffraction data. In each case, the EC₆H₅ (E=S, Se) ligand binds to two metal ions (M=Pt, Pd, and Ni) to form chain‐like structures with planar (in 1 ) or zig‐zag (in 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) conformations. The [M(SR)₂]_∞ complexes (M=Pt, R=4‐tert‐butylphenyl 6 ; R=2‐naphthyl 8 ; R=4‐nitrophenyl 10 and M=Pd, R=4‐tert‐butylphenyl 7 ; R=2‐naphthyl 9 ; R=4‐nitrophenyl 11 ) were prepared under similar solvothermal conditions. Based on the XPS binding energies and elemental analyses, complexes 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 have the same [M(SR)₂]_∞ formulation as 1 and 2 . The cyclic complex [Pd₆(SCH₃)₁₂] 12 was prepared as a crystalline solid by solvothermal annealing treatment of the amorphous precipitate. A chain‐like polymer structure is proposed for both [Pd(SC₁₂H₂₅)₂]_∞ 13 and [Pd(SC₁₆H₃₃)₂]_∞ 14 ; these polymeric chains self‐assemble to give layer‐like structures. Solid‐state diffuse reflectance spectra reveal that the optical band gap E_g (eV) of complexes 1 , 6 , 8 , 10 and of 2 , 7 , 9 , 11 are in the range of 2.10–3.00 eV and 2.10–2.63 eV, respectively, and 5 has the lowest E_g value (1.72 eV). Heating solid samples of 4 and 13 under solvothermal conditions afforded phase‐pure Pd₁₇Se₁₅ and PdS nanocrystals, respectively. Field‐effect transistors fabricated with a drop‐cast thin film made from Pd₁₇Se₁₅ nanocrystals prior treated with an ethanolic solution of 1‐hexadecanethiol displayed ambipolar charge transporting properties with hole and electron mobility being 7×10^?2 cm² V^?1 s^?1 and 6×10^?2 cm² V^?1 s^?1, respectively.     

Self‐assembly and Cycling of a Three‐state PdxLy Metallosupramolecular System

The use of stimuli to induce reversible structural transformations in metallosupramolecular systems is of keen interest to chemists seeking to mimic the way that Nature effects conformational changes in biological machinery. While a wide array of stimuli have been deployed towards this end, stoichiometric changes have only been explored in a handful of examples. Furthermore, switching has generally been between only two distinct states. Here we use a simple 2‐(1‐(pyridine‐4‐methyl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridine “click” ligand in combination with Pd^II in various stoichiometries and concentrations to quantitatively access and cycle between three distinct species: a [PdL₂]²⁺ monomer, a [Pd₂L₂]⁴⁺ dimer, and a [Pd₉L₁₂]¹⁸⁺ cage.     

A Reduced‐Symmetry Heterobimetallic [PdPtL4]4+ Cage: Assembly,Guest Binding,and Stimulus‐Induced Switching

A strategy is presented that enables the quantitative assembly of a heterobimetallic [PdPtL₄]⁴⁺ cage. The presence of two different metal ions (Pd^II and Pt^II) with differing labilities enables the cage to be opened and closed selectively at one end upon treatment with suitable stimuli. Combining an inert Pt^II tetrapyridylaldehyde complex with a suitably substituted pyridylamine and Pd^II ions led to the assembly of the cage. ¹H and DOSY NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry data were consistent with the quantitative formation of the cage, and the heterobimetallic structure was confirmed using single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. The structure of the host–guest adduct with a 2,6‐diaminoanthraquinone guest molecule was determined. Addition of N,N′‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) resulted in the formation of the open‐cage [PtL₄]²⁺ compound and [Pd(DMAP)₄]²⁺ complex. This process could then be reversed, with the reformation of the cage, upon addition of p‐toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH).     

Stability and Unimolecular Reactivity of Palladate(II) Complexes [LnPdR3]− (L=Phosphine,R=Organyl,n=0 and 1)

The reduction of Pd^II precatalysts to catalytically active Pd⁰ species is a key step in many palladium‐mediated cross‐coupling reactions. Besides phosphines, the stoichiometrically used organometallic reagents can afford this reduction, but do so in a poorly understood way. To elucidate the mechanism of this reaction, we have treated solutions of Pd(OAc)₂ and a phosphine ligand L in tetrahydrofuran with RMgCl (R=Ph, Bn, Bu) as well as other organometallic reagents. Analysis of these model systems by electrospray‐ ionization mass spectrometry found palladate(II) complexes [L_nPdR₃]^? (n=0 and 1), thus pointing to the occurrence of transmetallation reactions. Upon gas‐phase fragmentation, the [L_nPdR₃]^? anions preferentially underwent a reductive elimination to yield Pd⁰ species. The sequence of the transmetallation and reductive elimination, thus, constitutes a feasible mechanism for the reduction of the Pd(OAc)₂ precatalyst. Other species of interest observed include the Pd^IV complex [PdBn₅]^?, which did not fragment via a reductive elimination but lost BnH instead.     

Binary salt of a palladium(II) complex with (phosphonomethyl)phosphonic (medronic) acid comprising `handbell‐like' [Pd{μ‐CH2(PO3)2}]3 units

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, dipotassium bis[hexaaquanickel(II)] tris(μ₂‐methylenediphosphonato)tripalladium(II) hexahydrate, K₂[Ni(H₂O)₆]₂[Pd₃{CH₂(PO₃)₂}₃]·6H₂O, consists of half a {[Pd{CH₂(PO₃)₂}]₃}⁶⁻ anion [one Pd atom (4e) and a methylene C atom (4e) occupy positions on a twofold axis] in a rare `handbell‐like' arrangement, with K⁺ and [Ni(H₂O)₆]²⁺ cations to form the neutral complex, completed by three solvent water molecules. The {[Pd{CH₂(PO₃)₂}]₃}⁶⁻ units exhibit close Pd...Pd separations of 3.0469 (4) Å and are packed via intermolecular C—H...Pd hydrogen bonds. The [KO₉] and [NiO₆] units are assembled into sheets coplanar with (011) and stacked along the [100] direction. Within these sheets there are [K₄Ni₄O₈] and [K₂Ni₂O₄] loops. Successive alternation of the sheets and [Pd{CH₂(PO₃)₂}]₃ units parallel to [001] produces the three‐dimensional packing, which is also supported by a dense network of hydrogen bonds involving the solvent water molecules.     

Facile Hydrolysis and Alcoholysis of Palladium Acetate

Palladium(II) acetate is readily converted into [Pd₃(μ²‐OH)(OAc)₅] ( 1 ) in the presence of water in a range of organic solvents and is also slowly converted in the solid state. Complex 1 can also be formed in nominally anhydrous solvents. Similarly, the analogous alkoxide complexes [Pd₃(μ²‐OR)(OAc)₅] ( 3 ) are easily formed in solutions of palladium(II) acetate containing a range of alcohols. An examination of a representative Wacker‐type oxidation shows that the Pd‐OH complex 1 and a related Pd‐oxo complex 4 can be excluded as potential catalytic intermediates in the absence of exogenous water.     

Structural and Oxidation State Alternatives in Platinum and Palladium Complexes of a Redox-Active Amidinato Ligand

Reaction of [Pt(DMSO)₂Cl₂] or [Pd(MeCN)₂Cl₂] with the electron-rich LH=N,N’-bis(4-dimethylaminophenyl)ethanimidamide yielded mononuclear [PtL₂] ( 1 ) but dinuclear [Pd₂L₄] ( 2 ), a paddle-wheel complex. The neutral compounds were characterized through experiments (crystal structures, electrochemistry, UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, magnetic resonance) and TD-DFT calculations as metal(II) species with noninnocent ligands L⁻. The reversibly accessible cations [PtL₂]⁺ and [Pd₂L₄]⁺ were also studied, the latter as [Pd₂L₄][B{3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃}₄] single crystals. Experimental and computational investigations were directed at the elucidation of the electronic structures, establishing the correct oxidation states within the alternatives [Pt^II(L⁻)₂] or [Pt^.(L )₂], [Pt^II(L^0.5−)₂]⁺ or [Pt^III(L⁻)₂]⁺, [(Pd^II)₂(μ-L⁻)₄] or [(Pd^1.5)₂(μ-L^0.75−)₄], and [(Pd^2.5)₂(μ-L⁻)₄]⁺ or [(Pd^II)₂(μ-L^0.75−)₄]⁺. In each case, the first alternative was shown to be most appropriate. Remarkable results include the preference of platinum for mononuclear planar [PtL₂] with an N-Pt-N bite angle of 62.8(2)° in contrast to [Pd₂L₄], and the dimetal (Pd₂⁴⁺→Pd₂⁵⁺) instead of ligand (L⁻→L ) oxidation of the dinuclear palladium compound.     

trans‐Bis[3‐(2‐fluorophenyl)‐1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)triazenido‐κN3]bis(pyridine‐κN)palladium(II)

In the title complex, [Pd(C₁₂H₈FN₄O₂)₂(C₅H₅N)₂] or trans‐[Pd(FC₆H₄N=N—NC₆H₄NO₂)(C₅H₅N)₂], the Pd atom lies on a centre of inversion in space group P. The coordination geometry about the Pd²⁺ ion is square planar, with two deprotonated 3‐(2‐fluoro­phenyl)‐1‐(4‐nitro­phenyl)­triazenide ions, FC₆H₄N=N—NC₆H₄NO₂^?, acting as monodentate ligands (two‐electron donors), while two neutral pyridine mol­ecules complete the metal coordination sphere. The whole triazenide ligand is not planar, with the largest interplanar angle being 16.8 (5)° between the phenyl ring of the 2‐­fluorophenyl group and the plane defined by the N=N—N moiety. The Pd—N(triazenide) and Pd—N(pyridine) distances are 2.021 (3) and 2.039 (3) Å, respectively.     

Coordination of Ligands That Contain Thiocarbonyl,Carbonyl, or Thiolate Functionalities to Complex Fragments of Palladium in Various Oxidation States

Two phosphine ligands of [Pd(PPh₃)₄] were substituted by π(C?S) coordination of 4‐bromodithiobenzoic acid methyl ester resulting in complex 1 . The same ester, after alkylation, afforded the dicationic complex bis(μ‐methanethiolato)tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)dipalladium(2+) bis(tetrafluoroborate) ( 2 ) from the same palladium source. A related thiolato‐bridged complex, bis(μ‐methanethiolato)bis(1‐methylpyridin‐2(1H)‐ylidene)bis(triphenylphosphine)dipalladium(2+) bis(tetrafluoroborate) ( 4 ) and the trinuclear cluster tris(μ‐methanethiolato)tris(triphenylphosphine)tripalladium(+)(3Pd? Pd) ( 5 ) resulted from treatment of a known cationic pyridinylidene complex with MeSLi. The double oxidative substitution reaction of [Pd(PPh₃)₄] with 1,5‐dichloro‐9,10‐anthraquinone afforded trans‐dichloro[μ‐(9,10‐dihydro‐9,10‐dioxoanthracene‐1,5‐diyl)]tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)dipalladium ( 6 ). Some of these complexes could be fully characterized by ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, and ³¹P‐NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The crystal and molecular structures of all of them, and of trans‐bis(1,3‐dihydro‐1,3‐dimethyl‐2H‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene)diiodopalladium ( 3 ), were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Synthese und Struktur der Komplexe [(n‐Bu)4N]2[{(THF)Cl4Re≡N}2PdCl2], [Ph4P]2[(THF)Cl4Re≡N‐PdCl(μ‐Cl)]2 und [(n‐Bu)4N]2[Pd3Cl8]

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the Complexes [(n‐Bu)₄N]₂[{(THF)Cl₄Re≡N}₂PdCl₂], [Ph₄P]₂[(THF)Cl₄Re≡N‐PdCl(μ‐Cl)]₂ and [(n‐Bu)₄N]₂[Pd₃Cl₈] The threenuclear complex [(n‐Bu)₄N]₂[{(THF)Cl₄Re≡N}₂ PdCl₂] ( 1 ) is obtained in THF by the reaction of PdCl₂(NCC₆H₅)₂ with [(n‐Bu)₄N][ReNCl₄] in the molar ration 1:2. It forms orange crystals with the composition 1· THF crystallizing in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 2973.3(2); b = 1486.63(7); c = 1662.67(8)pm; β = 120.036(5)° and Z = 4. If the reaction is carried out with PdCl₂ instead of PdCl₂(NCC₆H₅)₂, orange crystals of hitherto unknown [(n‐Bu)₄N]₂[Pd₃Cl₈] ( 3 ) are obtained besides some crystals of 1· THF. 3 crystallizes with the space group P1¯ and a = 1141.50(8), b = 1401.2(1), c = 1665.9(1)pm, α = 67.529(8)°, β = 81.960(9)°, γ = 66.813(8)° and Z = 2. In the centrosymmetric complex anion [{(THF)Cl₄Re≡N}₂PdCl₂]^2— a linear PdCl₂ moiety is connected in trans arrangement with two complex fragments [(THF)Cl₄Re≡N]^— via asymmetric nitrido bridges Re≡N‐Pd. For Pd(II) thereby results a square‐planar coordination PdCl₂N₂. The linear nitrido bridges are characterized by distances Re‐N = 163.8(7)pm and Pd‐N = 194.1(7)pm. The crystal structure of 3 contains two symmetry independent, planar complexes [Pd₃Cl₈]^2— with the symmetry 1¯, in which the Pd atoms are connected by slightly asymmetric chloro bridges. By the reaction of equimolar amounts of [Ph₄P][ReNCl₄] and PdCl₂(NCC₆H₅)₂ in THF brown crystals of the heterometallic complex, [Ph₄P]₂[(THF)Cl₄Re≡N‐PdCl(μ‐Cl)]₂ ( 2 ) result. 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 979.55(9); b = 2221.5(1); c = 1523.1(2)pm; β = 100.33(1)° and Z = 2. In the central unit ClPd(μ‐Cl)₂PdCl of the centrosymmetric anionic complex [(THF)Cl₄Re≡N‐PdCl(μ‐Cl)]₂^2— the coordination of the Pd atoms is completed by two nitrido bridges Re≡N‐Pd to nitrido complex fragments [(THF)Cl₄Re≡N]^— forming a square‐planar arrangement for Pd(II). The distances in the linear nitrido bridges are Re‐N = 163.8(9)pm and Pd‐N = 191.5(9)pm.     

Sterically‐Directed Consecutive and Size‐Selective Self‐Assembly of Palladium Diphosphane Complexes with an Ar‐BIAN Ligand: Unexpected Formation of Pentameric and Hexameric Aggregates

The coordination properties of N,N′‐bis[4‐(4‐pyridyl)phenyl]acenaphthenequinonediimine (L¹) and N,N′‐bis[4‐(2‐pyridyl)phenyl]acenaphthenequinonediimine (L²) were investigated in self‐assembly with palladium diphosphane complexes [Pd(P^P)(H₂O)₂](OTf)₂ (OTf=triflate) by using various analytical techniques, including multinuclear (¹H, ¹⁵N, and ³¹P) NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (P^P=dppp, dppf, dppe; dppp=bis(diphenylphosphanyl)propane, dppf= bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ferrocene, and dppe=bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethane). Beside the expected trimeric and tetrameric species, the interaction of an equimolar mixture of [Pd(dppp)]²⁺ ions and L¹ also generates pentameric aggregates. Due to the E/Z isomerism of L¹, a dimeric product was also observed. In all of these species, which correspond to the general formula [Pd(dppp)L¹]_n(OTf)_2n (n=2–5), the L¹ ligand is coordinated to the Pd center only through the terminal pyridyl groups. Introduction of a second equivalent of the [Pd(dppp)]²⁺ tecton results in coordination to the internal, sterically more encumbered chelating site and induces enhancement of the higher nuclearity components. The presence of higher‐order aggregates (n=5, 6), which were unexpected for the interaction of cis‐protected palladium corners with linear ditopic bridging ligands, has been demonstrated both by mass‐spectrometric and DOSY NMR spectroscopic analysis. The sequential coordination of the [Pd(dppp)]²⁺ ion is attributed to the dissimilar steric properties of the two coordination sites. In the self‐assembled species formed in a 1:1:1 mixture of [Pd(dppp)]²⁺/[Pd(dppe)]²⁺/L¹, the sterically more demanding [Pd(dppp)]²⁺ tectons are attached selectively to the pyridyl groups, whereas the more hindered imino nitrogen atoms coordinate the less bulky dppe complexes, thus resulting in a sterically directed, size‐selective sorting of the metal tectons. The propensity of the new ligands to incorporate hydrogen‐bonded solvent molecules at the chelating site was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction studies.     

Tuning the Size and Geometry of Heteroleptic Coordination Cages by Varying the Ligand Bent Angle

Spherical assemblies of the type [Pd_nL_2n]²ⁿ⁺ can be obtained from Pd^II salts and curved N-donor ligands, L. It is well established that the bent angle, α, of the ligand is a decisive factor in the self-assembly process, with larger angles leading to complexes with a higher nuclearity, n. Herein, we report heteroleptic coordination cages of the type [Pd_nL_nL′_n]²ⁿ⁺, for which a similar correlation between the ligand bent angle and the nuclearity is observed. Tetranuclear cages were obtained by combining [Pd(CH₃CN)₄](BF₄)₂ with 1,3-di(pyridin-3-yl)benzene and ligands featuring a bent angle of α=120°. The use of a dipyridyl ligand with α=149° led to the formation of a hexanuclear complex with a trigonal prismatic geometry; for linear ligands, octanuclear assemblies of the type [Pd₈L₈L′₈]¹⁶⁺ were obtained. The predictable formation of heteroleptic Pd^II cages from 1,3-di(pyridin-3-yl)benzene and different dipyridyl ligands is evidence that there are entire classes of heteroleptic cage structures that are privileged from a thermodynamic point of view.     

Three‐Component Self‐Assembly of a Series of Triply Interlocked Pd12 Coordination Prisms and Their Non‐Interlocked Pd6 Analogues

Template‐assisted formation of multicomponent Pd₆ coordination prisms and formation of their self‐templated triply interlocked Pd₁₂ analogues in the absence of an external template have been established in a single step through Pd? N/Pd? O coordination. Treatment of cis‐[Pd(en)(NO₃)₂] with K₃tma and linear pillar 4,4′‐bpy (en=ethylenediamine, H₃tma=benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylic acid, 4,4′‐bpy=4,4′‐bipyridine) gave intercalated coordination cage [{Pd(en)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂]₂[NO₃]₁₂ ( 1 ) exclusively, whereas the same reaction in the presence of H₃tma as an aromatic guest gave a H₃tma‐encapsulating non‐interlocked discrete Pd₆ molecular prism [{Pd(en)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂(H₃tma)₂][NO₃]₆ ( 2 ). Though the same reaction using cis‐[Pd(NO₃)₂(pn)] (pn=propane‐1,2‐diamine) instead of cis‐[Pd(en)(NO₃)₂] gave triply interlocked coordination cage [{Pd(pn)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂]₂[NO₃]₁₂ ( 3 ) along with non‐interlocked Pd₆ analogue [{Pd(pn)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂](NO₃)₆ ( 3′ ), and the presence of H₃tma as a guest gave H₃tma‐encapsulating molecular prism [{Pd(pn)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂(H₃tma)₂][NO₃]₆ ( 4 ) exclusively. In solution, the amount of 3′ decreases as the temperature is decreased, and in the solid state 3 is the sole product. Notably, an analogous reaction using the relatively short pillar pz (pz=pyrazine) instead of 4,4′‐bpy gave triply interlocked coordination cage [{Pd(pn)}₆(pz)₃(tma)₂]₂[NO₃]₁₂ ( 5 ) as the single product. Interestingly, the same reaction using slightly more bulky cis‐[Pd(NO₃)₂(tmen)] (tmen=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylene diamine) instead of cis‐[Pd(NO₃)₂(pn)] gave non‐interlocked [{Pd(tmen)}₆(pz)₃(tma)₂][NO₃]₆ ( 6 ) exclusively. Complexes 1 , 3 , and 5 represent the first examples of template‐free triply interlocked molecular prisms obtained through multicomponent self‐assembly. Formation of the complexes was supported by IR and multinuclear NMR (¹H and ¹³C) spectroscopy. Formation of guest‐encapsulating complexes ( 2 and 4 ) was confirmed by 2D DOSY and ROESY NMR spectroscopic analyses, whereas for complexes 1 , 3 , 5 , and 6 single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques unambiguously confirmed their formation. The gross geometries of H₃tma‐encapsulating complexes 2 and 4 were obtained by universal force field (UFF) simulations.