Overcoming the Crystallization Bottleneck: A Family of Gigantic Inorganic {Pdx}L (x=84, 72) Palladium Macrocycles Discovered using Solution Techniques

The {Pd₈₄}^Ac wheel, initially discovered serendipitously, is the only reported giant palladium macrocycle—a unique structure that spontaneously assembles from small building blocks. Analogues of this structure are elusive. A new modular route to {Pd₈₄}^Ac is described, allowing incorporation of other ligands, and a new screening approach to cluster discovery. Structural assignments were made of new species from solution experiments, overcoming the need for crystallographic analysis. As a result, two new palladium macrocycles were discovered: a structural analogue of the existing {Pd₈₄}^Ac wheel with glycolate ligands, {Pd₈₄}^Gly , and the next in a magic number series for this cluster family—a new {Pd₇₂}^Prop wheel decorated with propionate ligands. These findings confirm predictions of a magic number rule for the family of {Pd_x} macrocycles. Furthermore, structures with variable fractions of functional ligands were obtained. Together these discoveries establish palladium clusters as a new class of tunable nanostructures. In facilitating the discovery of species that would not have been discovered by orthodox crystallization approaches, this work also demonstrates the value of solution‐based screening and characterization in cluster chemistry, as a means to decouple cluster formation, discovery, and isolation.     

Fine Tunable,Redox Active Octapalladium Chains Supported by Linear Tetraphosphines,Leading to Dynamically 1D Self-Assembled Coordination Polymers

A series of the octapalladium chains supported by meso-Ph₂PCH₂P(Ph)CH₂P(Ph)CH₂PPh₂ (meso-dpmppm) ligands, [Pd₈(meso-dpmppm)₄(L)₂](BF₄)₄ (L=none ( 1 ), solvents: CH₃CN ( 2 a ), dmf ( 2 b ), dmso ( 2 c ), RN≡C: R=Xyl ( 3 a ), Mes ( 3 b ), Dip ( 3 c ), ^tBu ( 3 d ), Cy ( 3 e ), CH₃(CH₂)₇ ( 3 f ), CH₃(CH₂)₁₁ ( 3 g ), CH₃(CH₂)₁₇ ( 3 h )) and [Pd₈(meso-dpmppm)₄(X)₂](BF₄)₂ (X=Cl ( 4 a ), N₃ ( 4 b ), CN ( 4 c ), SCN ( 4 d )), were synthesized by using 2 a as a stable good precursor, and characterized by spectroscopic (IR, ¹H and ³¹P NMR, UV-vis-NIR, ESI-MS) measurements and X-ray crystallographic analyses (for 1 , 2 a , b , 3 a , b , e , f , 4 a – d ). On the basis of DFT calculations on the X-ray determined structure of 2 b ( [2b-Pd₈]⁴⁺ ) and the optimized models [Pd₈(meso-Ph₂PCH₂P(H)CH₂P(H)CH₂PH₂)₄(CH₃CN)₂]⁴⁺ ( [Pd₈Ph₈]⁴⁺ ) and [Pd₈(meso-H₂PCH₂P(H)CH₂P(H)CH₂PH₂)₄(CH₃CN)₂]⁴⁺ ( [Pd₈H₈]⁴⁺ ), with and without empirically calculating dispersion force stabilization energy (B3LYP-D3, B3LYP), the formation energy between the two Pd₄ fragments is assumed to involve mainly noncovalent interactions (ca. −70 kcal/mol) with four sets of interligand C−H/π interactions and Pd⋅⋅⋅Pd metallophilic one, while electron shared covalent interactions are almost canceled out within the Pd₈ chain. All the compounds isolated are stable in solution and exhibit characteristic absorption at ∼900 nm, which is assignable to a spin allowed HOMO to LUMO transition, and shows temperature dependent intensity change with variable absorption coefficients presumably due to coupling with some thermal vibrations. The structures and electronic states of the Pd₈ chains are found finely tunable by varying the terminal capping ligands. In particular, theoretical calculations elucidated that the HOMO-LUMO energy gap is systematically related to the central Pd−Pd distance (2.7319(6)–2.7575(6) Å) by two ways with neutral ligands L ( 1 , 2 , 3 ) and with anionic ligands X ( 4 ), which are reflected on the NIR absorption energy of 867–954 nm. The isocyanide terminated Pd₈ complexes ( 3 ) further reacted with excess of RNC (6 eq) to afford the Pd₄ complexes, [Pd₄(meso-dpmppm)₂(RNC)₂](BF₄)₂ ( 13 ), and the cyclic voltammograms of 2 a (L=CH₃CN), 3 , and 13 (R=Xyl, Mes, ^tBu, Cy) demonstrated wide range redox behaviors from 2{Pd₄}⁴⁺ to 2{Pd₄}⁰ through 2{Pd₄}²⁺↔{Pd₈}⁴⁺, {Pd₈}³⁺, and {Pd₈}²⁺ strings. The oxidized complexes, [Pd₄(meso-dpmppm)₂(RNC)₃](BF₄)₄ ( 16 ), were characterized by X-ray analyses, and the two-electron reduced chain of [Pd₈(meso-dpmppm)₄](BF₄)₂ ( 7 ) was analyzed by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques and DFT calculations. Reactions of 2 a with 1 equiv. of aromatic linear bisisocyanide (BI) in CH₂Cl₂ deposited insoluble coordination polymers, {[Pd₈(meso-dpmppm)₄(BI)](BF₄)₄}_n ( 5 ), and interestingly, they were soluble in acetonitrile, ³¹P{¹H} and ¹H DOSY NMR spectra as well as SAXS curves suggesting that the coordination polymers may exist in acetonitrile as dynamically 1D self-assembled coordination polymers comprising ca. 50 units of the Pd₈ rod averaged within the timescale.     

Molecular weight determination of coordination and organometallic oligomers by T1 and NOE constant measurements: concepts and challenges

This paper describes how to determine molecular weights of coordination and organometallic polymers (or rather oligomers) in solution using spin-lattice relaxation time (T₁) and Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement constant (η_NOE) measurements. The methodology is explained using simple organometallic-complexes such as M(CN-t-Bu)₄⁺ complexes (M = Cu, Ag). Very good results are obtained for oligomers that exhibit a rigid structure. Conversely, very poor results are extracted when the materials show flexible chains in the backbone. The typical examples for rigid and flexible oligomers are the {Ag(dmb)₂⁺}_n (dmb = 1,8-diisocyano-p-menthane), and {Pd₂(dmb)₂(diphos)²⁺}_n (diphos = dppa, dppb, dpppent, and dpph) as well as {Pd₂(diphos)₂(dmb)²⁺}_n (diphos = dppe, dppr, and dppp R ; R = O(CH₂)₂O-naphthyl), respectively.     

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.     

Guest‐Directed Supramolecular Architectures of {W36} Polyoxometalate Crowns

The {W₃₆} isopolyoxotungstate cluster provides a stable inorganic molecular platform for the binding of inorganic and organic guest molecules. This is achieved by a binding pocket formed by six terminal oxo ligands located in the central cavity of the all‐inorganic cation binding host. Previously it was shown that the cluster can specifically bind primary amines and importantly, functionalized diamines through a combination of electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions. Here we transform this assembly strategy to utilize the binding of long‐chain alkyldiammonium guest cations to physically define the supramolecular structure of the clusters with respect to each other and demonstrate the structure direction as a function of alkyl chain length. The systematic variation of the chain length gives access to five supramolecular assemblies which were all fully characterized using single crystal XRD, TGA, ¹H NMR, and elemental analysis. In compound 1 , diprotonated 1,8‐diaminooctane molecules link the {W₃₆} clusters into infinite 1D zigzag chains, whereas compounds 2 and 3 feature trimeric {W₃₆} assemblies directly connected through protonated 1,9‐diaminononane ( 2 ) or 1,10‐diaminodecane ( 3 ) linkers . Compound 4 contains dumb‐bell shaped dimeric units as a result of direct center‐to‐center linkages between the {W₃₆} clusters formed by protonated 1,12‐diaminododecane. In compound 5 , triply protonated bis(hexamethylene)triamine was employed to obtain linear 1D chains of directly connected {W₃₆} cluster units.     

Multicomponent Self-Assembly of PdII/PtII Interlocked Molecular Cages: Cage-to-Cage Conversion and Self-Sorting in Aqueous Medium

Coordination-driven self-assembly is an efficient approach for constructing complicated molecules with the aid of reversible bond formation. However, constructing topologically complicated interlocked systems and their formation studies remain challenging tasks. The formation of two water-soluble hexanuclear interlocked cages by multicomponent self-assembly of a flexible triimidazole donor ( L1 ) and a rigid tripyridyl donor ( L2 ) based on a triazine core in combination with 90° cis-blocked Pd^II and Pt^II acceptors is reported here. Formation of interlocked systems having a composition of M₆( L1 )₂( L2 )₂ (M=Pd or Pt) becomes feasible through cavity-induced self-recognition of two similar units having a composition of M₃( L1 )( L2 ). Self-sorting of two independently prepared cages of [M₃( L1 )₂] and [M₆( L2 )₄] in aqueous medium leads to the formation of interlocked systems, and their formation was monitored by time-dependent ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Self-recognition of L1 by [M₆( L2 )₄] or L2 by [M₃( L1 )₂] leads to the formation of interlocked systems, as confirmed from ¹H NMR spectroscopic titrations of L1 with cages {M₆( L2 )₄} and L2 with {M₃( L1 )₂}, respectively. Both the interlocked cages of Pd and Pt are highly stable, and formation of either system is equally probable as observed from the treatments of Pd₃( L1 )₂ with Pt₆( L2 )₄ or Pt₃( L1 )₂ with Pd₆( L2 )₄, which lead to the formation of two different self-assembled homometallic interlocked cages [Pt₆( L1 )₂( L2 )₂+Pd₆( L1 )₂( L2 )₂] instead of forming any other heterometallic assemblies. Formation of interlocked cages is dependent on the steric bulk of the diamine ligand bound to the metal acceptors. A N-alkyl-substituted blocking amine prefers the non-interlocked cage instead of the interlocked analogue.     

Copper and copper-palladium catalysts of aliphatic thiols oxidation in biological objects: Quantum-chemical DFT simulation

DFT calculations (M06, PBE0/Def2-TZVP) of coordination compounds used in reactions of selective oxidation of thiols to disulfides were performed. Primary active centers of the catalysts are polynuclear scaffolds {L₂M(μ-OH)₂ML₂}²⁺ and {L₂M(μ-OH)₂M′(μ-OH)₂ML₂}²⁺ (M = Cu^I, Cu^II, Pd^II; M' = Cu^II; L = NH₃). Cu^II ions in combination with PdII ions are capable of formation of polynuclear active center {PdII(μ-OH)₂Cu^II(μ-OH)₂Pd^II}²⁺ bringing together a large number of mutually oriented RS^– groups and thus affecting the rate of formation of disulfide R₂S₂.     

Exploring the Symmetry,Structure, and Self‐Assembly Mechanism of a Gigantic Seven‐Fold Symmetric {Pd84} Wheel

The symmetry, structure and formation mechanism of the structurally self‐complementary { Pd₈₄ } = [Pd₈₄O₄₂(PO₄)₄₂(CH₃CO₂)₂₈]^70? wheel is explored. Not only does the symmetry give rise to a non‐closest packed structure, the mechanism of the wheel formation is proposed to depend on the delicate balance between reaction conditions. We achieve the resolution of gigantic polyoxopalladate species through electrophoresis and size‐exclusion chromatography, the latter has been used in conjunction with electrospray mass spectrometry to probe the formation of the ring, which was found to proceed by the stepwise aggregation of {Pd₆}^? = [Pd₆O₄(CH₃CO₂)₂(PO₄)₃Na_6?nH_n]^? building blocks. Furthermore, the higher‐order assembly of these clusters into hollow blackberry structures of around 50 nm has been observed using dynamic and static light scattering.     

Exploring the Symmetry,Structure, and Self‐Assembly Mechanism of a Gigantic Seven‐Fold Symmetric {Pd84} Wheel

The symmetry, structure and formation mechanism of the structurally self‐complementary { Pd₈₄ } = [Pd₈₄O₄₂(PO₄)₄₂(CH₃CO₂)₂₈]⁷⁰⁻ wheel is explored. Not only does the symmetry give rise to a non‐closest packed structure, the mechanism of the wheel formation is proposed to depend on the delicate balance between reaction conditions. We achieve the resolution of gigantic polyoxopalladate species through electrophoresis and size‐exclusion chromatography, the latter has been used in conjunction with electrospray mass spectrometry to probe the formation of the ring, which was found to proceed by the stepwise aggregation of {Pd₆}⁻ = [Pd₆O₄(CH₃CO₂)₂(PO₄)₃Na_6−nH_n]⁻ building blocks. Furthermore, the higher‐order assembly of these clusters into hollow blackberry structures of around 50 nm has been observed using dynamic and static light scattering.     

Walking Metals in d8⋅⋅⋅d8 Hetero‐bimetallic Complexes: An Original Dynamic Phenomenon

In the course of our investigations on polymetallic complexes derived from 1,3‐bis(thiophosphinoyl)indene (Ind(Ph₂P?S)₂), we observed original fluxional behavior and report herein a joint experimental/computational study of this dynamic process. Starting from the indenylidene chloropalladate species [Pd{Ind(Ph₂P?S)₂}Cl]^? ( 1 ), the new Pd^II???Rh^I hetero‐bimetallic pincer complex [PdCl{Ind(Ph₂P?S)₂}Rh(nbd)] ( 2 ; nbd=2,5‐norbornadiene) was prepared. X‐ray crystallography and DFT calculations substantiate the presence of a d⁸???d⁸ interaction. According to multinuclear variable‐temperature NMR spectroscopic experiments, the pendant {Rh(nbd)} fragment of 2 readily shifts in solution at room temperature between the two edges of the SCS tridentate ligand. To assess the role of the pincer‐based polymetallic structure on this fluxional behavior, the related monometallic Rh complex [Rh{IndH(Ph₂P?S)₂}(nbd)] ( 3 ) was prepared. No evidence for a metal shift was observed in that case, even at high temperature, thus indicating that inplane pincer coordination to the Pd center plays a crucial role. The previously described Pd^II???Ir^I bimetallic complex 4 exhibited fluxional behavior in solution, but with a significantly higher activation barrier than 2 . This finding demonstrates the generality of this metal‐shift process and the strong influence of the involved metal centers on the associated activation barrier. DFT calculations were performed to shed light onto the mechanism of such metal‐shift processes and to identify the factors that influence the associated activation barriers. Significantly different pathways were found for bimetallic complexes 2 and 4 on one hand and the monometallic complex 3 on the other hand. The corresponding activation barriers predicted computationally are in very good agreement with the experimental observations.     

Conformational studies of haloperidol

The high field¹H,¹⁹F, and¹³C NMR spectra of haloperidol (HP) in CDCl₃ solution were recorded and analyzed with the aid of both homonuclear (H, H-COSY, H, H-COSYLR) and heteronuclear (H,C-COSY) chemical shift correlation experiments. Through space interactions between (1) the piperidine ring and the chlorinated phenyl ring and (2) the fluorinated phenyl ring and a methylene group were identified using phase sensitive Nuclear Overhauser and Exchange Spectroscopy (NOESY). The NOESY results are consistent with a planar structure rather than a folded version of haloperidol.     

N-(2-吡咯甲基)-1-苯基乙亚胺·二甲基铝的合成、结构及其催化丙交酯的活性

通过席夫碱配体N-（2-吡咯甲基）-1-苯基乙亚胺与三乙基铝按物质的量之比为1：1在无氧无水的条件下反应,合成了席夫碱铝的有机金属化合物N-（2-吡咯甲基）-1-苯基乙亚胺·二甲基铝。其结构分别用核磁氢谱、碳谱,元素分析和X射线单晶衍射技术进行了表征。铝化合物在催化外消旋丙交酯开环聚合反应中表现出了中等的活性并得到了以等规聚合为主的高聚物。     

Configurational Isomerism in Polyoxovanadates

A water‐soluble derivative of the polyoxovanadate {V₁₅E₆O₄₂} (E=semimetal) archetype enables the study of cluster shell rearrangements driven by supramolecular interactions. A reaction unique to E=Sb, induced exclusively by ligand metathesis in peripheral [Ni(ethylenediamine)₃]²⁺ counterions, results in the formation of the metastable α₁* configurational isomer of the {V₁₄Sb₈O₄₂} cluster type. Contrary to all other polyoxovanadate shell architectures, this isomer comprises an inward‐oriented vanadyl group and is ca. 50 and 12 kJ mol^?1 higher in energy than the previously isolated α and β isomers, respectively. We discuss this unexpected reaction in light of supramolecular Sb?O???V and Sb?O???Sb contacts manifested in {V₁₄Sb₈O₄₂}₂ dimers detected in the solid state. ESI MS experiments confirm the stability of these dimers also in solution and in the gas phase. DFT calculations indicate that other, as of yet elusive isomers of {V₁₄Sb₈}, might be accessible as well.     

Fluxional behaviour of Rh4(CO)8{P(OPh)3}4: A 13C-{31P, 1H} NMR study

Variable temperature ¹³C-{³¹P, ¹H} NMR studies on Rh₄(CO)₈ {P(OPh)₃}₄ show that the solid state structure is maintained in solution at low temperature; at higher temperatures carbonyl migration occurs around the metal polyhedron with the lowest energy migration occurring via a Cotton type mechanism which also involves a rocking motion about the unique rhodium in the basal plane. At +82°C, the fast exchange limiting ¹³C-{³¹P, ¹H} and ³¹P spectra exhibit a quintet and doublet of quartets, respectively.     

N-(2-吡咯甲基)-1-苯基乙亚胺·二甲基铝的合成、结构及其催化丙交酯的活性

通过席夫碱配体N-（2-吡咯甲基）-1-苯基乙亚胺与三乙基铝按物质的量之比为1：1在无氧无水的条件下反应,合成了席夫碱铝的有机金属化合物N-（2-吡咯甲基）-1-苯基乙亚胺·二甲基铝。其结构分别用核磁氢谱、碳谱,元素分析和X射线单晶衍射技术进行了表征。铝化合物在催化外消旋丙交酯开环聚合反应中表现出了中等的活性并得到了以等规聚合为主的高聚物。     

Synthesis, structure and luminescent property of a new hybrid solid based on Keggin anions and silver-organonitrogen fragments

A new hybrid solid, {Ag(phen)₂}₂{[Ag(phen)]₂[PMo₁₂O₄₀]} (phen=1,10-phenanthroline) 1, constructed from one-electron-reduced mono-supported α-Keggin polyanions and silver-phenanthroline fragments via either covalent bonds or supramolecular interactions, is described. In the structure of 1, mono-supported {Ag(phen)[PMo₁₂O₄₀]}³⁻ polyanions are connected by {Ag(phen)}⁺ linking fragments to form a hybrid chain structure with engrafted phen ligands. {Ag(phen)₂}⁺ counter-cations occur in pairs trapping in strong inter-chain π-π stacking to form a three-dimensional supramolecular framework. Luminescent investigation of the compound indicates that 1 displays fascinating orange luminescent property at ambient temperature.     

Coordination Properties of Perfluoroethyl‐ and Perfluorophenyl‐Substituted Phosphonous acids,RfP(OH)2

Phosphinic acids, R^fP(O)(OH)H (R^f=CF₃, C₂F₅, C₆F₅), turned out to be excellent preligands for the coordination of phosphonous acids, R^fP(OH)₂. Addition of C₂F₅P(O)(OH)H to solid PtCl₂ under different reaction conditions allows the isolation and full characterization of the mononuclear complexes [ClPt{P(C₂F₅)(OH)O}{P(C₂F₅)(OH)₂}₂] and [Pt{P(C₂F₅)(OH)O}₂{P(C₂F₅)(OH)₂}] containing hydrogen‐bridged [R^fP(OH)O]^? and R^fP(OH)₂ units. Further deprotonation of [Pt{P(C₂F₅)(OH)O}₂{P(C₂F₅)(OH)₂}₂] leads to the formation of the dianionic platinate, [Pt{P(C₂F₅)(OH)O}₄]^2?, revealing four intramolecular hydrogen bridges. With PdCl₂ the dinuclear complex [Pd₂(μ‐Cl)₂{[P(C₂F₅)(OH)O]₂H}₂] was isolated and characterized. The Cl^? free complex [Pd{P(C₂F₅)(OH)O}₂{P(C₂F₅)(OH)₂}₂] was also prepared and deprotonated to the dianionic palladate, [Pd{P(C₂F₅)(OH)O}₄]^2?. Both compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and X‐ray analyses. In addition, the C₆F₅ derivatives [ClPt{P(C₆F₅)(OH)O}{P(C₆F₅)(OH)₂}₂] and [Pd₂(μ‐Cl)₂{[P(C₆F₅)(OH)O]₂H}₂] as well as the CF₃ derivative [Pd₂(μ‐Cl)₂{[P(CF₃)(OH)O]₂H}₂] were synthesized and fully characterized. Phosphonous acid complexes are inert towards air and moisture and can be stored for several months without decomposition. The catalytic activity of the palladium complexes in the Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction between 1‐bromo‐3‐fluorobenzene and phenyl boronic acid was demonstrated.     

Surfactant-Induced Trans-Interface Transportation and Complex Formation of Giant Polyoxomolybdate-Based Clusters

The interaction and complex formation between cationic surfactants dimethyldioctadecylammonium Bromide (DODA-Br) and a polyoxomolybdate (POM)-based giant cluster {Mo₇₂Fe₃₀}, in its both single cluster (in aqueous solution, these clusters exist as anions) format and supramolecular format in aqueous solution, are studies by using laser light scattering (LLS) techniques. DODA/{Mo₇₂Fe₃₀} complexes containing basically single {Mo₇₂Fe₃₀} clusters are observed when the {Mo₇₂Fe₃₀} aqueous solution is freshly prepared and contains mainly unimer or oligmer {Mo₇₂Fe₃₀} anions. The {Mo₇₂Fe₃₀} clusters tend to form supramolecular vesicle structures slowly in solution. At high surfactant concentrations, the DODA cationic surfactants can break the vesicle structure and form single {Mo₇₂Fe₃₀}/DODA complexes. At low surfactant concentrations, complexes containing the whole vesicles coated by a layer of DODA is formed and transferred into the organic phase. For the surfactant concentrations in between, the vesicles are partially destroyed, leading to the formation of complexes with large size distribution. Studying the behaviors of the interaction between DODA and {Mo₇₂Fe₃₀} anionic structures will help to further explore the complicated mechanism of the POM vesicle formation, which was recently discovered but still not fully understood. Such unique complex structures may also have potential applications as nanoreactors or nanocontainers.     

Cooperativity of steric bulk and H-bonding in coordination sphere engineering: heteroleptic PdII cages and bowls by design

Recently developed self-assembly strategies allow to rationally reduce the symmetry of metallosupramolecular architectures. In addition, the combination of multiple ligand types without creating compound mixtures has become possible. Among several approaches to realize non-statistical heteroleptic assembly, Coordination Sphere Engineering (CSE) makes use of secondary repulsive or attractive interactions in direct vicinity of the metal nodes. Previously, we used steric congestion to turn dinuclear [Pd₂L₄] cages with fourfold symmetry into [Pd₂L₃X₂] (X = solvent, halide) bowl structures. Here, we introduce a new subtype of this strategy based on balancing hydrogen bonding and repulsive interactions between ligands carrying quinoline (L^Qu) and 1,8-naphthyridine (L^Na) donors to generate trans-[Pd₂L₂] and [Pd₂L₃L′] cages, assisted by templation of encapsulated fullerenes. Combined with steric congestion caused by acridine (L^Ac) donors, we further report the first example of a heteroleptic [Pd₂L₂L′X₂] bowl. Formation, structure and fullerene binding ability of these metallo-supramolecular hosts were studied by NMR, mass spectrometry and single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Coordination Sphere Engineering (CSE) allows non-statistical assembly of heteroleptic supramolecular architectures by fine adjustment of steric and electronic features around square-planar Pd(ii) cations with naphthyridine donors.