Multifunctional ligands with podand topology provide intrinsically well-defined coordination geometries. Several subgroups of multidentate ligand systems comprising dual functionality have been developed so far. Recent advances made in this research area reflect its topicality. Work on metal complexes of ambiphilic ligands consisting of Lewis-acidic Group 13 element bridgehead atoms and additional donor functionalities is in the current focus of interest. The intrinsic topology of tetradentate ligands may introduce a fascinating reactivity and interesting electronic properties to the metal complexes. Janus-head type ligands are very promising candidates for the preparation of multimetallic complexes.
Thermolysis of the bicyclic gallium hydrazide [(GaMe(2))(4)(NH-NMe)(NH-NHMe)(2)] (1) yielded the unique cage compound [(GaMe)(4)(GaMe(2))(4)(N(2))(NH-NMe)(4)] (2). Compound 2 contains a remarkable hydrazinetetraide moiety, [N-N](4-), as the central structural motif which is stabilised by coordination to six gallium atoms.
The dimeric macrocycles [[P(mu-NtBu)]2.LL]2 [LL = OCH2C(Me)2CH2O (1), 2,6-(NH)2C5H3N (2), 1,2-(NH)2C6H4(3)] have been obtained by the reactions of the appropriate diols and diamines (LLH2) with the dimeric phosph(III)azane [ClP(mu-NtBu)]2. Under different conditions the reaction of 1,2-(NH2)2C6H4 with [ClP(mu-NtBu)]2 gives the monomer [[P(mu-NtBu)]2.[1,2-(NH)2C6H4]] (4) (instead of the dimer 3). Contrary to the literature, the results illustrate that the formation of dimeric macrocycles is common in these reactions and dependent among other factors on the steric demands and length of the organic spacer (LL) as well as the reaction conditions.
The structures of the host-guest complexes [[[[P(mu-NtBu)]2(mu-NH)]5]I]-.[Li(thf)4]+ [2.I[Li(thf)4]] and [[[P(mu-NtBu)]2(mu-NH)]5].HBr.THF (2.HBr.THF) show that increased distortion of the framework of the pentameric macrocycle [[[P(mu-NtBu)]2(mu-NH)]5] (2) occurs with the larger halide ions. Theoretical studies show that the thermodynamic stabilities of the model host-guest anions [2.X]- (X=Cl, Br, I) are in the order Cl- approximately Br->I-, that is, the reverse of the templating trend observed experimentally. These studies support the view that the selection of the pentamer 2 over the tetramer [[[P(mu-NtBu)]2(mu-NH)]4] (1) is kinetically controlled, a conclusion which is also consistent with the previous observation that the frameworks of 1 and 2 are not in dynamic equilibrium with each other.
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