Acid-base-driven interconversion between a mononuclear complex and supramolecular coordination polymers in a terpyridine-functionalized dioxocyclam ligand

A polytopic cyclam-bis-terpyridine ligand has been used to accomplish an acid-base-triggered formation of either a mononuclear neutral complex or metallopolymers with Cu(2+) ions. A controlled interconversion between these two forms was achieved through the reversible displacement of a Cu(2+) cation from the macrocycle to the terpyridine units.