Size‐Selective Encapsulation of Hydrophobic Guests by Self‐Assembled M4L6 Cobalt and Nickel Cages

Subtle differences in metal–ligand bond lengths between a series of [M₄L₆]^4? tetrahedral cages, where M=Fe^II, Co^II, or Ni^II, were observed to result in substantial differences in affinity for hydrophobic guests in water. Changing the metal ion from iron(II) to cobalt(II) or nickel(II) increases the size of the interior cavity of the cage and allows encapsulation of larger guest molecules. NMR spectroscopy was used to study the recognition properties of the iron(II) and cobalt(II) cages towards small hydrophobic guests in water, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction was used to study the solid‐state complexes of the iron(II) and nickel(II) cages.     

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.     

Postsynthetic Metal and Ligand Exchange in MFU‐4l: A Screening Approach toward Functional Metal–Organic Frameworks Comprising Single‐Site Active Centers

The isomorphous partial substitution of Zn²⁺ ions in the secondary building unit (SBU) of MFU‐4l leads to frameworks with the general formula [M_xZn_(5–x)Cl₄(BTDD)₃], in which x≈2, M=Mn^II, Fe^II, Co^II, Ni^II, or Cu^II, and BTDD=bis(1,2,3‐triazolato‐[4,5‐b],[4′,5′‐i])dibenzo‐[1,4]‐dioxin. Subsequent exchange of chloride ligands by nitrite, nitrate, triflate, azide, isocyanate, formate, acetate, or fluoride leads to a variety of MFU‐4l derivatives, which have been characterized by using XRPD, EDX, IR, UV/Vis‐NIR, TGA, and gas sorption measurements. Several MFU‐4l derivatives show high catalytic activity in a liquid‐phase oxidation of ethylbenzene to acetophenone with air under mild conditions, among which Co‐ and Cu derivatives with chloride side‐ligands are the most active catalysts. Upon thermal treatment, several side‐ligands can be transformed selectively into reactive intermediates without destroying the framework. Thus, at 300 °C, Co^II‐azide units in the SBU of Co‐MFU‐4l are converted into Co^II‐isocyanate under continuous CO gas flow, involving the formation of a nitrene intermediate. The reaction of Cu^II‐fluoride units with H₂ at 240 °C leads to Cu^I and proceeds through the heterolytic cleavage of the H₂ molecule.     

Embedding and Positioning of Two FeII4L4 Cages in Supramolecular Tripeptide Gels for Selective Chemical Segregation

An unreported d,l ‐tripeptide self‐assembled into gels that embedded Fe^II₄L₄ metal–organic cages to form materials that were characterized by TEM, EDX, Raman spectroscopy, rheometry, UV/Vis and NMR spectroscopy, and circular dichroism. The cage type and concentration modulated gel viscoelasticity, and thus the diffusion rate of molecular guests through the nanostructured matrix, as gauged by ¹⁹F and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. When two different cages were added to spatially separated gel layers, the gel–cage composite material enabled the spatial segregation of a mixture of guests that diffused into the gel. Each cage selectively encapsulated its preferred guest during diffusion. We thus present a new strategy for using nested supramolecular interactions to enable the separation of small molecules.     

A new three‐dimensional cobalt(II) coordination polymer with a 4‐connected CdSO4‐like topology

The title cobalt(II) coordination polymer, poly[[diaquacobalt(II)]‐μ₄‐3,3′‐(p‐phenylene)diacrylato], [Co(C₁₂H₈O₄)(H₂O)₂]_n, was obtained by reaction of Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O and 3,3′‐(p‐phenylene)diacrylic acid (H₂L) under hydrothermal conditions. Each Co^II cation sits on a centre of inversion and is hexacoordinated by six O‐atom donors in an octahedral geometry. The Co^II centres are connected by four centrosymmetric L²⁻ anions, resulting in a three‐dimensional framework structure. The coordinated water molecules and carboxylate O atoms form hydrogen‐bond interactions, stabilizing the structure of the three‐dimensional framework. Topologically, the framework represents a rare example of the three‐dimensional 4‐connected CdSO₄ network type. The metal cations and the organic ligand both show in‐plane coordination with respect to the extended structure.     

Peripheral Templation Generates an MII6L4 Guest‐Binding Capsule

Pseudo‐octahedral M^II₆L₄ capsules result from the subcomponent self‐assembly of 2‐formylphenanthroline, threefold‐symmetric triamines, and octahedral metal ions. Whereas neutral tetrahedral guests and most of the anions investigated were observed to bind within the central cavity, tetraphenylborate anions bound on the outside, with one phenyl ring pointing into the cavity. This binding configuration is promoted by the complementary arrangement of the phenyl rings of the intercalated guest between the phenanthroline units of the host. The peripherally bound, rapidly exchanging tetraphenylborate anions were found to template an otherwise inaccessible capsular structure in a manner usually associated with slow‐exchanging, centrally bound agents. Once formed, this cage was able to bind guests in its central cavity.     

Guest Exchange Mechanisms in Mono‐Metallic PdII/PtII‐Cages Based on a Tetra‐Pyridyl Calix[4]pyrrole Ligand

Planar pyridyl N‐oxides are encapsulated in mono‐metallic Pd^II/Pt^II‐cages based on a tetra‐pyridyl calix[4]pyrrole ligand. The exchange dynamics of the cage complexes are slow on both the NMR chemical shift and EXSY timescales, but encapsulation of the guests by the cages is fast on the human timescale. A “French doors” mechanism, involving the rotation of the meso‐phenyl walls of the cages, allows the passage of the planar guests. The encapsulation of quinuclidine N‐oxide, a sterically more demanding guest, is slower than pyridyl N‐oxides in the Pd^II‐cage, and does not take place in the Pt^II counterpart. A modification of the encapsulation mechanism for the quinuclidine N‐oxide is postulated that requires the partial dissociation of the Pd^II‐cage. The substrate binding selectivity featured by the cages is related to their different guest uptake/release mechanisms.     

Hexanuclear 3d − 4f metal–organic cages assembled from a carboxylic acid‐functionalized tris‐triazamacrocycle for highly selective fluorescent sensing of picric acid

Two Ln^III ions are sandwiched by dinuclear Co^II building blocks derived from a tris‐triazamacrocyclic ligand bearing pendant carboxylic acid functionality, 1,3,5‐tris((4,7‐bis(2‐carboxyethyl)‐1,4,7‐triazacyclonon‐1‐yl)methyl)‐benzene (H₆L), giving rising to two nanoscale heterometallic metal–organic cages formulated as [Co₄Ln₂(LH_2.5)₂(H₂O)₄]·(ClO₄)₆·NO₃·nH₂O [Ln = Dy, n = 12 ( 1 ); Ln = Yb, n = 9 ( 2 )], whose internal cavity accommodates a guest NO₃^? anion. Their hexanuclear cage‐like architectures are maintained both in solution and solid states as confirmed by mass spectrum as well as X‐ray diffraction experiments. These two cages display ligand‐based fluorescence emissions and therefore both were chosen to be operated as fluorescent chemosensors for the detection of nitroaromatic compounds. Attractively, these metal–organic cages allow highly selective and sensitive detection of picric acid (PA) over other nitroaromatics in solution and suspension, and the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the cage probes and PA is mainly responsible for the remarkable detection efficiency.     

Synthesis,Structures and Magnetic Properties of Two Binuclear Cobalt(II) Complexes Bridged by Bis(p‐nitrophenyl) Phosphate or Diphenylphosphinate Ion

Two new binuclear cobalt(II) complexes, [Co₂ L¹ (μ₂‐DPP)]²⁺ ( 1 ) (H L¹ = N, N, N′, N′‐ tetrakis (2‐benzimidazolylmethyl)‐2‐hydroxyl ‐1,3‐diaminopropane; DPP = diphenylphosphinate) and [Co₂ L² (μ₂‐BNPP)₂]⁺ ( 2 ) (H L² = 2,6‐bis‐[N,N‐di(2‐ pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]‐4‐methylphenol, BNPP = bis(4‐nitrophenyl)phosphate) have been synthesized and their crystal structures and magnetic properties are shown. In 1 , each Co^II atom has a distorted trigonal bipyramidal coordination sphere with a N₃O₂ donor set and the central two Co^II atoms are bridged by one alkoxo‐O atom and one μ₂‐DPP ion with the Co1‐Co2 separation of 3.542Å. In 2 , each Co^II atom has a pseudo octahedral environment with a N₃O₃ donor set and the central two Co^II atoms are bridged by a phenolic oxygen atom of L² and two μ₂‐BNPP ions with the Co1‐Co2 separation of 3.667Å. Susceptibility data of 1 and 2 indicate intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling of the high‐spin Co^II atoms.     

Counter‐Anion‐Regulated Mixed‐Valency of Cobalt(II/III) Centers in a Metallosupramolecular Framework

A diamagnetic Au^I₄Co^III₂ hexanuclear complex, [Au₄Co₂(dppe)₂(l ‐nmc)₄]²⁺ ([ 1_{L ‐ nmc} ]²⁺; dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, l ‐H₂nmc=N‐methyl‐l ‐cysteine), was newly synthesized by the reaction of [Co(l ‐nmc)₂]^? with [Au₂Cl₂(dppe)] and crystallized with different inorganic anions (X=ClO₄^?, NO₃^?, Cl^?, SO₄^2?) to produce ionic solids ([ 1_{L ‐ nmc} ]X_n). Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis revealed that all the solids crystallize in the chiral space group F432 with a face‐centered‐cubic lattice structure consisting of supramolecular octahedra of complex cations. The paramagnetic nature of all the solids was evidenced by magnetic susceptibility measurements, showing the variation of the oxidation states of two cobalt centers in [ 1_{L ‐ nmc} ]ⁿ⁺ from Co^II_1.00Co^III_1.00 for X=ClO₄^? or NO₃^? to Co^II_0.67Co^III_1.33 for X=Cl^?, via Co^II_0.83Co^III_1.17 for X=SO₄^2?. The difference in the Co^II/III mixed‐valences was explained by the difference in sizes and charges of counter anions accommodated in lattice interstices with a fixed volume.     

On Aliovalent Substitution on the Li Site in LiMPO4: an ­X‐ray Diffraction Study of the Systems LiMPO4–M1.5PO4 (= LixM1.5–x/2PO4; M = Ni,Co, Fe,Mn)

In this paper we report on the possibility of Li substitution by M²⁺ to various high degrees in LiMPO₄ olivine‐type compounds (M = Ni, Co, Fe, Mn), depending on the kind of transition metal M. The experimental studies were carried through by reacting stoichiometric amounts of LiM^IIPO₄ and M^II_1.5PO₄ (= M^II₃(PO₄)₂) to form compounds of composition Li_xM^II_1.5–x/2PO₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1). A complete solid solution over the whole range of x was found for M = Ni (together with a second order structural transition from orthorhombic to monoclinic for decreasing x), whereas far smaller degrees of dopability of the Li site were found for LiCoPO₄ and LiFePO₄ (up to compositions of approx. (Li_0.8Co_0.1)CoPO₄ and approx. (Li_0.9Fe_0.05)FeO₄. In addition, the nearly stoichiometric monoclinically distorted olivine‐type compounds with compositions (Li_0.42–0.47Co_0.29–0.265)CoPO₄ and (Li_0.14–0.16Fe_0.43–0.42)FePO₄ could be identified and are described in this article.     

Reversible reduction drives anion ejection and C60 binding within an FeII4L6 cage

Fe^II₄L₆ tetrahedral cage 1 was prepared from a redox-active dicationic naphthalenediimide (NDI) ligand. The +20 charge of the cage makes it a good host for anionic guests, with no binding observed for neutral aromatic molecules. Following reduction by Cp₂Co, the cage released anionic guests; subsequent oxidation by AgNTf₂ led to re-uptake of anions. In its reduced form, however, 1 was observed to bind neutral C₆₀. The fullerene guest was subsequently ejected following cage re-oxidation. The guest release process was found to be facilitated by anion-mediated transport from organic to aqueous solution. Cage 1 thus employs electron transfer as a stimulus to control the uptake and release of both neutral and charged guests, through distinct pathways.

Fe^II₄L₆ cage 1 binds anionic guests but not neutral guests. In its reduced form, the cage can bind neutral C₆₀. Reduction and oxidation of the cage could thus be used as a stimulus to control the uptake and release of both neutral and charged guests.     

Cobalt(II)‐Terephthalate Frameworks Containing Bis(benz­imidazole) Derivative Co‐ligands: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,Catalytic and Fluorescence Properties

Two metal‐organic coordination polymers of Co^II with the molecular formulae [Co(L₁)(tp)(H₂O)₂]_n ( 1 ) and [Co(L₂)(tp) · H₂O]_n ( 2 ) [L₁ = 1, 4‐bis(benzimidazole‐1‐ylmethyl)‐ benzene; L₂ = 1, 1‐(1, 4‐butanediyl)bis(5, 6‐dimethylbenzimidazole); tp = terephthalate] were synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies, infrared spectroscopy (IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRPD), and elemental analysis. The structure determination of complex 1 reveals a 2D layer with (4, 4) topology, with Co^II ions at the nodes connected through tp and L₁ co‐ligands. Complex 2 is the first example of a four‐connected SrAl₂ structure type ( sra , 4²6³8 topology) with threefold interpenetration in Co^II coordination frameworks, forming by bridging L₂ and tp co‐ligands. In addition, the fluorescence and catalytic performances of the complexes for the degradation of methyl orange were investigated.     

Poly[(μ4‐biphenyl‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylato)bis[μ2‐1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene]dicobalt(II)]

The asymmetric unit of the title two‐dimensional coordination polymer, [Co₂(C₁₆H₆O₈)(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)₂]_n, contains one Co²⁺ ion, half of a biphenyl‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylate (bptc) anion lying about an inversion centre and one 1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene (bix) ligand. The Co^II atom is coordinated by three carboxylate O atoms from two different bptc ligands and two N atoms from two bix ligands constructing a distorted square pyramid. Each Co²⁺ ion is interlinked by two bptc anions, while each bptc anion coordinates to four Co atoms as a hexadentate ligand so that four Co^II atoms and four bptc anions afford a larger 38‐membered ring. These inorganic rings are further extended into a two‐dimensional undulated network in the (10) plane. Two Co^II atoms in adjacent 38‐membered rings are joined together by pairs of bix ligands forming a 26‐membered [Co₂(bix)₂] ring that is penetrated by a bptc anion; these components share a common inversion centre.     

Allosterically Regulated Guest Binding Determines Framework Symmetry for an FeII4L4 Cage

Self-assembly of a flexible tritopic aniline and 3-substituted 2-formylpyridine subcomponents around iron(II) templates gave rise to a low-spin Fe^II₄L₄ capsule, whereas a high-spin Fe^II₃L₂ sandwich species formed when a sterically hindered 6-methyl-2-formylpyridine was used. The Fe^II₄L₄ cage adopted a new structure type with S₄ symmetry, having two mer-Δ and two mer-Ʌ metal vertices, as confirmed by NMR and X-ray crystallographic analysis. The flexibility of the face-capping ligand endows the resulting Fe^II₄L₄ framework with conformational plasticity, enabling it to adapt structurally from S₄ to T or C₃ symmetry upon guest binding. The cage also displayed negative allosteric cooperativity in simultaneously binding different guests within its cavity and at the apertures between its faces.     

Isomorphous Catena Transition Metal Squarates [MII(C4O4)(dmso)2(OH2)2] (M = Co,Mn) and Magnetic Investigation into their Solid Solution M = CoxMn1–x

The crystal structures of two new isomorphous transition metal squarato complexes [M^II(C₄O₄)(dmso)₂(OH₂)₂] [M^II = Co^II (3d⁷), Mn^II (3d⁵); dmso = dimethylsulfoxide] and their magnetic properties are reported. The compounds feature two symmetrically independent chains, in which 1,3‐bridging squarato ligands connect cations in distorted octahedral surroundings of pseudo‐symmetry D_4h. From an equimolar solution of CoCl₂ · 6H₂O and MnCl₂ · 2H₂O a mixed‐metal coordination polymer crystallizes; it represents a solid solution and adopts the same structure as the corresponding monometallic compounds. The results of the diffraction experiment unambiguously proof the presence of both Co^II and Mn^II cations in either independent site albeit no precise ratio between the metal cations involved may be deduced from these findings. The difference in the magnetic properties between Co^II and Mn^II cations in the given ligand field has allowed us to establish their ratio in the solid solution more reliably than by X‐ray diffraction: Accounting for ligand field potential and spin‐orbit coupling of Co^II and regarding Mn^II as a pure spin system, the calculations yielded a fraction of 73 % Co^II in the mixed‐metal polymer. With respect to superexchange effects only weak antiferromagnetic interactions have been detected for the three coordination polymers.     

Interpenetrated Cage Structures

This Review covers design strategies, synthetic challenges, host–guest chemistry, and functional properties of interlocked supramolecular cages. Some dynamic covalent organic structures are discussed, as are selected examples of interpenetration in metal–organic frameworks, but the main focus is on discrete coordination architectures, that is, metal‐mediated dimers. Factors leading to interpenetration, such as geometry, flexibility and chemical makeup of the ligands, coordination environment, solvent effects, and selection of suitable counter anions and guest molecules, are discussed. In particular, banana‐shaped bis‐pyridyl ligands together with square‐planar metal cations have proven to be suitable building blocks for the construction of interpenetrated double‐cages obeying the formula [M₄L₈]. The peculiar topology of these double‐cages results in a linear arrangement of three mechanically coupled pockets. This allows for the implementation of interesting guest encapsulation effects such as allosteric binding and template‐controlled selectivity. In stimuli‐responsive systems, anionic triggers can toggle the binding of neutral guests or even induce complete structural conversions. The increasing structural and functional complexity in this class of self‐assembled hosts promises the construction of intelligent receptors, novel catalytic systems, and functional materials.     

Cobalt(II) and cobalt(III) complexes with 4′‐(4‐cyanophenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine

4′‐Cyanophenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (cptpy) was employed as an N,N′,N′′‐tridentate ligand to synthesize the compounds bis[4′‐(4‐cyanophenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine]cobalt(II) bis(tetrafluoridoborate) nitromethane solvate, [Co^II(C₂₂H₁₄N₄)₂](BF₄)₂·CH₃NO₂, (I), and bis[4′‐(4‐cyanophenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine]cobalt(III) tris(tetrafluoridoborate) nitromethane sesquisolvate, [Co^III(C₂₂H₁₄N₄)₂](BF₄)₃·1.5CH₃NO₂, (II). In both complexes, the cobalt ions occupy a distorted octahedral geometry with two cptpy ligands in a meridional configuration. A greater distortion from octahedral geometry is observed in (I), which indicates a different steric consequence of the constrained ligand bite on the Co^II and Co^III ions. The crystal structure of (I) features an interlocked sheet motif, which differs from the one‐dimensional chain packing style present in (II). The lower dimensionality in (II) can be explained by the disturbance caused by the larger number of anions and solvent molecules involved in the crystal structure of (II). All atoms in (I) are on general positions, and the F atoms of one BF₄⁻ anion are disordered. In (II), one B atom is on an inversion center, necessitating disorder of the four attached F atoms, another B atom is on a twofold axis with ordered F atoms, and the C and N atoms of one nitromethane solvent molecule are on a twofold axis, causing disorder of the methyl H atoms. This relatively uncommon study of analogous Co^II and Co^III complexes provides a better understanding of the effects of different oxidation states on coordination geometry and crystal packing.     

Bright Fluorescence and Host–Guest Sensing with a Nanoscale M4L6 Tetrahedron Accessed by Self‐Assembly of Zinc–Imine Chelate Vertices and Perylene Bisimide Edges

A highly luminescent Zn₄L₆ tetrahedron is reported with 3.8 nm perylene bisimide edges and hexadentate Zn^II–imine chelate vertices. Replacing Fe^II and monoamines commonly utilized in subcomponent self‐assembly with Zn^II and tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine provides access to a metallosupramolecular host with the rare combination of structural integrity at concentrations <10^?7 mol L^?1 and an exceptionally high fluorescence quantum yield of Φ_em=0.67. Encapsulation of multiple perylene or coronene guest molecules is accompanied by strong luminescence quenching. We anticipate this self‐assembly strategy may be generalized to improve access to brightly fluorescent coordination cages tailored for host–guest light‐harvesting, photocatalysis, and sensing.     

Metal–Organic Frameworks Constructed from Versatile [WS4Cux]x−2 Units: Micropores in Highly Interpenetrated Systems

Five metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) formed by [WS₄Cu_x]^x?2 secondary building units (SBUs) and multi‐pyridyl ligands are presented. The [WS₄Cu_x]^x?2 SBUs function as network vertexes showing various geometries and connectivities. Compound 1 contains one‐dimensional channels formed in fourfold interpenetrating diamondoid networks with a hexanuclear [WS₄Cu₅]³⁺ unit as SBU, which shows square‐pyramidal geometry and acts as a tetrahedral node. Compound 2 contains brick‐wall‐like layer also with a hexanuclear [WS₄Cu₅]³⁺ unit as SBU. The [WS₄Cu₅]³⁺ unit in 2 is a new type of [WS₄Cu_x]^x?2 cluster unit in which the five Cu⁺ ions are in one plane with the W atom, forming a planar unit. Compound 3 shows a nanotubular structure with a pentanuclear [WS₄Cu₄]²⁺ unit as SBU, which is saddle‐shaped and acts as a tetrahedral node. Compound 4 contains large cages formed between two interpenetrated (10,3)‐a networks also with a pentanuclear [WS₄Cu₄]²⁺ unit acting as a triangular node. The [WS₄Cu₄]²⁺ unit in 4 is isomeric to that in 3 and first observed in a MOF. Compound 5 contains zigzag chains with a tetrahedral [WS₄Cu₃]⁺ unit as SBU, which acts as a V‐shaped connector. The influence of synthesis conditions including temperature, ligand, anions of Cu^I salts, and the ratio of [NH₄]₂WS₄ to Cu^I salt on the formation of these [WS₄Cu_x]^x?2‐based MOFs were also studied. Porous MOF 3 is stable upon removal and exchange of the solvent guests, and when accommodating different solvent molecules, it exhibits specific colors depending on the polarity of incorporated solvent, that is, it shows a rare solvatochromic effect and has interesting prospects in sensing applications.