The synthesis and structures of two new octadentate, Schiff-base calixpyrrole macrocycles are presented in which modifications at the meso-substituents (L(1)) or the aryl spacer between the two pyrrole-imine donor compartments (L(2)) are introduced. The outcomes of these changes are highlighted in the structures of binuclear Pacman complexes of these macrocycles, [M(2)(L(1))] and [M(2)(L(2))]. Both palladium and cobalt complexes of the fluorenyl-meso-substituted macrocycle H(4)L(1) adopt rigid, but laterally twisted geometries with enclosed bimetallic microenvironments; a consequence of this spatial constraint is an exo-exo-bonding mode of pyridine in the dicobalt complex [Co(2)(py)(2)(L(1))]. In contrast, the use of an anthracenyl backbone between the two donor compartments (H(4)L(2)) generates a binuclear palladium complex in which the two PdN(4) environments are approximately cofacial and separated by 5.3 A, so generating a bimetallic complex that is structurally very similar to binuclear compounds of cofacial diporphyrins.

The syntheses and structures of binuclear cobalt complexes of a double-pillared cofacial Schiff-base pyrrole macrocycle (L) were determined and their activity as catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction evaluated. The new binuclear cobalt complex, [Co(2)(L)], 1 was formed in good yield using a salt-elimination method and was characterised as adopting a cofacial structure in solution by NMR spectroscopy and as its THF and pyridine solvates in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. Using a variety of spectroscopic techniques, this complex was found to react reversibly with dioxygen to form a new paramagnetic complex. Furthermore, the new aqua-hydroxy double salt [Co(2)(μ-H(3)O(2))(py)(2)(L)][BF(4)] 2 was characterised by X-ray crystallography. In acidified benzonitrile solution, 1 behaves as a catalyst for the selective four-electron reduction of dioxygen to water and showed a large improvement in efficacy compared to its o-phenylene Schiff-base analogues.

The synthesis of the new cofacial binuclear zinc complex [Zn2(L)] of a Schiff-base pyrrole macrocycle is reported. It was discovered that the binuclear microenvironment between the two metals of [Zn2(L)] is suited for the encapsulation of anions, leading to the formation of [K(THF)6][Zn2(μ-Cl)(L)].2THF and [Bun4N][Zn2(μ-OH)(L)] which were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Unusually obtuse Zn-X-Zn angles (X=Cl: 150.54(9)° and OH: 157.4(3)°) illustrate the weak character of these interactions and the importance of the cleft pre-organization to stabilize the host. In the absence of added anion, aggregation of [Zn2(L)] was inferred and investigated by successive dilutions and by the addition of coordinating solvents to [Zn2(L)] solutions using NMR spectroscopy as well as isothermal microcalorimetry (ITC). On anion addition, evidence for de-aggregation of [Zn2(L)], combined with the formation of the 1:1 host-guest complex, was observed by NMR spectroscopy and ITC titrations. Furthermore, [Zn2(L)] binds to Cl− selectively in THF as deduced from the ITC analyses, while other halides induce only de-aggregation. These conclusions were reinforced by DFT calculations, which indicated that the binding energies of OH− and Cl− were significantly greater than for the other halides.

The functionalized mono-alkyne cone-monopropargyl p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene was synthesized by the reaction of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene with K(2)CO(3) and 3-bromo-1-propyne. More prolonged reaction times led to the formation of the 1,3 cone bis(propargyl)calix[4]arene . The tetra-alkyne species cone-tetrapropargyl p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene and its conformational isomer, 1,3-alternate-tetrapropargylcalix[4]arene may both be prepared via related reaction sequences. The structures of the molecules and were both re-determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. All four functionalized calixarenes react rapidly with dicobalt octacarbonyl to give [(calix[4]arene).{Co(2)(CO)(6)}(n)] species (n = 1, 2 or 4) in which the alkyne functionalities of the propargylcalix[4]arenes are ligated to one or more [Co(2)(CO)(6)] groups. Two products could be harvested from the reaction of [Co(2)(CO)(8)] with the bis-propargyl-calixarene , depending on the reaction conditions and relative molar quantities of the reactants: complex , [1,3-cone bis(propargyl)calix[4]arene.{Co(2)(CO)(6)}(2)], in which each alkyne group is bonded to a [Co(2)(CO)(6)] group, and complex , [1,3-cone bis(propargyl)calix[4]arene.{Co(2)(CO)(6)}], which contains a unligated alkyne and an alkyne group bonded to a Co(2)(CO)(6) unit. The structures of the tetracobalt and octacobalt complexes and were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.