Template synthesis of boron-capped cage metal complexes and assembly of supramolecular networks

Abstract

Abstract Template condensation on Mn(II) of 2-hydroxy-5-methyl-1,3-benzenedicarboxaldehyde-1,3-dioxime (H3hmbd) with 3-(acrylamidophenyl)boronic acid [3-aba(OH)2] and 3-(methacrylamidophenyl)boronic acid [3-mba(OH)2], afforded two boron-capped cage metal complexes containing reactive apical unsaturated groups, writing as {MnII2(hmbd)3[3-aba(OH)2]2}·Et3NH·H2O (1), {MnII2(hmbd)3[3-mba(OH)2]2}·Et3NH·2CH3OH (2). Two Co(II) cage metal complexes, namely {CoII2(hmbd)3[3-aba(OH)2]2}·Et3NH·H2O (3), {CoII2(hmbd)3[3-mba(OH)2]2}·Et3NH·2CH3OH (4), have been synthesized. The molecular structures of complex 1–4 were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectra, and UV–vis spectroscopy. The electrochemical property was analyzed by cyclic voltammetry. Every complex is composed of the BIIIMnIIMnIIBIII unit which has one negative charge counterbalanced by a protonated triethylamine ion. The four complexes are three dimensional cage structures with the terminal acylamino groups. The supramolecular networks are obtained by the non-covalent bonds between complexes, which are affected by the terminal substituents.