Versatile host for metallo anions and cations

The crystal structures of two metallo oxides, perrhenate and dichromate, are reported with a diprotonated tetraamido/diamino-based macrocycle, L, in which the floppy ligand assumes a folded conformation. When the four amides are deprotonated, this same ligand binds transition-metal ions in its tetraanionic form, H-4L. For the divalent metal ions Cu2+ and Ni2+, H-4L again folds and dinuclear complexes are formed. With trivalent metal ions Co3+ and Fe3+, the ligand wraps about the metal ions, resulting in mononuclear complexes.