Synthesis of aryl-substituted 2-pyridyl-1,10-phenanthrolines; a series of oriented terpyridine analogues

A 3 x 3 matrix of manisyl (4-methoxy-2,6-dimethylphenyl) substituted pyridyl-1,10-phenanthrolines has been synthesized by utilizing a general palladium catalyzed cross-coupling procedure. The directionality of these terdentate ligands will generate chiral octahedral ML(2) complexes, potentially useful for the metal templated synthesis of topologically chiral structures.