Structural features of unprecedented 3X@Cu4L4 species: Recognition of polyatomic anions

Abstract

Self-assembly of CuX2 (X− = Cl− and Br−) with N,N'-((1,1′-(anthracene-9,10-diylbis(methylene))bis(1H-1,2,3-triazole-4,1-diyl))bis(methylene))bis(1-(pyridin-3-yl)-N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)methanamine) (L) as a C2-symmetric multidentate N-donor gives rise to an unprecedented discrete propeller-type Cu4L4 architecture with a linear Cu–X–Cu–X–Cu–X–Cu arrangement, [3Cl@Cu4ClL4(H2O)]Cl4 and [3Br@Cu4L4(H2O)2]Br5, respectively. For both species, the photoluminescence of the anthracenyl moiety significantly recognizes NO3− and CF3SO3− among various polyatomic anions including NO3−, CF3SO3−, Cr2O72−, BF4−, PF6−, ClO4−, and I−.