Linked supramolecular building blocks for enhanced cluster formation

A bis-calix[4]arene-supported [CuII16] cage

Reaction of 2,2'-bis-p-^tBu-calix[4]arene (H₈L) with Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O and N-methyldiethanolamine (Me-deaH₂) in a basic dmf/MeOH mixture affords [CuII16(L)₂(Me-dea)₄(μ₄-NO₃)₂(μ-OH)₄(dmf)_3.5(MeOH)_0.5(H₂O)₂](H₆L)·16dmf·4H₂O (4), following slow evaporation of the mother liquor. The central core of the metallic skeleton describes a tetracapped square prism, [Cu₁₂], in which the four capping metal ions are the Cu^II ions housed in the calix[4]arene polyphenolic pockets. The [CuII8] square prism is held together "internally" by a combination of hydroxide and nitrate anions, with the N-methyldiethanolamine co-ligands forming dimeric [CuII2] units which edge-cap above and below the upper and lower square faces of the prism. Charge balance is maintained through the presence of one doubly deprotonated H₆L^2- ligand per [Cu₁₆] cluster. Magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal the predominance of strong antiferromagnetic exchange interactions and an S = 1 ground state, while EPR is consistent with a large zero-field splitting.

Oxidation state variation in bis-calix[4]arene supported decametallic Mn clusters

The reaction of MnCl₂·4H₂O, H₈L (2,2'-bis-p-^tBu-calix[4]arene) and NEt₃ in a dmf/MeOH solvent mixture results in the formation of a mixed valent decametallic cluster of formula [MnII6MnIII4(L)₂(μ₃-OH)₄(μ-OH)₄(MeOH)₄(dmf)₄(MeCN)₂]·MeCN (3). Complex 3 crystallises in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with the asymmetric unit comprising half of the compound. Structure solution reveals that the bis-calix[4]arene ligands are arranged such that one TBC[4] moiety in each has undergone inversion in order to accommodate a [MnIII4MnII6] metallic skeleton that describes three vertex-sharing [MnIII2MnII2] butterflies. The structure is closely related to the species [MnIII6MnII4(L)₂(μ₃-O)₂(μ₃-OH)₂(μ-OMe)₄(H₂O)₄(dmf)₈]·4dmf (4), the major difference being the oxidation level of the Mn ions in the core of the compound. DFT calculations on the full structures reveal that replacing the Mn^III ions in 4 for Mn^II ions in 3 results in a significant decrease in the magnitude of some antiferromagnetic exchange contributions, a switch from ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic in others, and the loss of significant spin frustration.

Magneto-structural studies of an unusual [MnIIIMnIIGdIII(OR)4]4- partial cubane from 2,2'-bis-p-tBu-calix[4]arene

Reaction of 2,2'-bis-p-tBu-calix[4]arene (H8L) with MnCl2·4H2O, GdCl3·6H2O and 2,6-pyridinedimethanol (H2pdm) affords [MnIIIMnIIGdIII(H3L)(pdmH)(pdm)(MeOH)2(dmf)]·3MeCN·dmf (3·3MeCN·dmf) upon vapour diffusion of MeCN into the basic dmf/MeOH mother liquor. 3 crystallises in the tetragonal space group P41212 with the asymmetric unit comprising the entire cluster. The highly unusual core contains a triangular arrangement of MnIIIMnIIGdIII ions housed within a [MnIIIMnIIGdIII(OR)4]4- partial cubane. Magnetic susceptibility and magnetisation data reveal best fit parameters JMn(II)-Mn(III) = +0.415 cm-1, JMn(III)-Gd(III) = +0.221 cm-1, JMn(II)-Gd(III) = -0.258 cm-1 and DMn(III) = -4.139 cm-1. Theoretically derived magnetic exchange interactions, anisotropy parameters, and magneto-structural correlations for 3 are in excellent agreement with the experimental data.

With complements of the ligands: an unusual S-shaped [Mn7]2 assembly from tethered calixarenes

A large S-shaped [MnIII5MnII2]₂ assembly (∼40 Å top to tail) has been formed with bis-p-^tBu-calix[4]arene and 2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine as a co-ligand, with the former existing unusually in both syn and anti-conformations (as shown).

Solid-state structure and antimicrobial and cytotoxicity studies of a cucurbit[6]uril-like Cu6L4 constructed from 3,5-bis[(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl]-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine

3,5-Bis[(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl]-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine (H₂L) associates under deprotonation with CuSO₄ in aqueous medium to form a new waisted barrel-shaped M₆L₄ cluster, namely hexaaquatetrakis{μ₄-3,5-bis[(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl]-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine}-μ₄-sulfato-hexacopper(II) sulfate hydrate, [Cu₆(SO₄)(C₆H₆N₁₂)₄(H₂O)₆]SO₄·nH₂O (n = ∼23) (1). Cluster 1 resembles concave cucurbit[6]uril and has one disordered sulfate anion trapped inside the cage, which additionally stabilizes the Cu₆ unit. The Cu^II ions have either a square-pyramidal or a distorted octahedral geometry. The equatorial positions are filled by N atoms from the L^2- ligand, while the axial positions are occupied by coordinated water molecules and O atoms of the sulfate counter-ion. In the solid state, the Cu₆ clusters are connected through a large number of hydrogen bonds formed by uncoordinated water molecules and an additional sulfate anion. The compound shows good antimicrobial activity against E. coli tested with the Kirby Bauer approach. In addition, the cell viability towards HeLa and L-929 cells was studied.

The remarkable influence of N,O-ligands in the assembly of a bis-calix[4]arene-supported [MnIV2MnIII10MnII8] cluster

Bis-calix[4]arene is a highly versatile ligand that is capable of forming a range of polymetallic clusters. Use of an N,O-chelating co-ligand affords a very high nuclearity mixed-valence Mn cluster (shown here) that displays coordination modes relative to each ligand type.

Bis-Calix[4]arenes: From Ligand Design to the Directed Assembly of a Metal-Organic Trigonal Antiprism

Calix[4]arenes (C[4]s) are versatile platforms for the construction of polymetallic clusters containing paramagnetic metal ions. Synthetic modification at the C[4] methylene bridge allows for the design of bis-C[4]s that, depending on the linker employed, can be used to either dictate which clusters can be formed or direct the assembly of a new metal-organic polyhedron (MOP). The assembly resulting from the latter approach displays thermal stability and uptake of N2 or H2 gas, confirming that this is a viable route to the synthesis of new, functional supramolecular architectures.

Core expansion of bis-calix[4]arene-supported clusters

Stoichiometric control allows for remarkable expansion of the cores of two known bis-calix[4]arene-supported clusters, with concomitant changes to the magnetic properties.

Supramolecular fluorescence enhancement via coordination-driven self-assembly in bis-picolylcalixarene blue-emitting M2L2Xn macrocycles

Photoactive macrocycles are obtained through coordination-driven self-assembly between calixarene L and Zn²⁺, Pd²⁺, Ag⁺, and Cd²⁺. Blue emission enhancement of L is observed upon assembly. M₂L₂X_n act as turn-off sensors for picric acid.

Novel mixed 1D–2D lanthanide coordination polymers based on p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene and 4,4′-bipyridine-N,N′-dioxide where p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene acts as a guest

Two novel mixed 1D–2D coordination polymers based on 2D [Ln(4,4′-bpdo)₂(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₂]⁺_n sheets and 1D [Ln₂(4,4′-bpdo)₂(C4AS)(NO₃)(H₂O)₉]_n chains (Ln = Sm for 1 and Ln = Nd for 2) sustained by π⋯π interactions and lattice water facilitated hydrogen bonds have been established.