Supramolecular Copper Phenanthroline Racks: Structures, Mechanistic Insight and Dynamic Nature

Abstract

AbstractHerein, we describe the preparation of several dynamic multicomponent supramolecular racks based on copper phenanthroline complexes using the HETPHEN concept (heteroleptic bisphenanthroline complexes). This approach employs bulky aryl substituents at the bisimine coordination sites to control the coordination equilibrium. The racks were characterised by spectroscopic methods, both in solution (1H NMR, ESI‐MS, UV/Vis, vapour pressure osmometry) and in the solid state (X‐ray). Ligand exchange studies established the reversible nature of the aggregates, the details of which are vital for the development of higher level multicomponent structures. In this regard, the present rack assemblies contrast to the large multitude of known rack motifs that are almost exclusively built using kinetically inert coordination building blocks. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)