14- and 17-Membered Macrocycles Containing Amide, Amino, and Carbamate Groups in The Monocyclic Skeleton: An Accidental Byproduct Obtained from a Residue after Separation.

A 14-membered cyclic compound (3) containing amide, amino, and carbamate groups, which was serendipitously obtained in the oily residue after the separation of 4-benzyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyldododecane-2,6-dione (2a) and 4,16-dibenzyl-1,4,7,10,13,16,19,22-octaazacyclo-tetracosane-2,6,14,18-tetraone (2b), is reported. The structure of 3 is formally a CO2 insertion between positions 3 and 4 of the 12-membered ring in 2a. The CO2 insertion was confirmed in the synthesis of diethyl 2,2'-(benzylazanediyl)diacetate (1) by the reaction of benzylamine with ethyl bromoacetate using K2CO3 as the base. In addition, the selective synthesis of 3 and ethyl N-benzyl-N-((2-ethoxy-2-oxoethoxy)carbonyl)glycinate (5) and their kinetic behavior are reported. The reaction of 5 with triethylenetetramine afforded a 17-membered macrocycle (7), which was obtained in an 18% yield. Compounds 6 and 8 were prepared from 3 and 7 by introducing benzyl groups to improve their solubility in organic solvents. Titration experiments using 1H NMR showed that both 6 and 8 exhibit Li+ selectivity.

Solvent-Dependent Self-Assembly of a Pillar[5]arene-Based Poly-Pseudo-Rotaxane Linked and Threaded by Silver(I) Trifluoroacetate: A Double Role.

In the supramolecule area, the fabrication of a new concept called polyrotaxanes or poly-pseudo-rotaxanes remains challenging. We herein report the formation of a poly-pseudo-rotaxane in which the same salt-type guest serves both linking and threading in the resulting structure. The combination of A1/A2-thiopyridyl pillar[5]arene (L) and silver(I) trifluoroacetate in CHCl3/CH3OH afforded a one-dimensional (1D) poly-pseudo-rotaxane. In this structure, to our surprise, the AgCF3CO2 guest not only links the di-armed L ligands via an infinite -L-Ag-L-Ag- arrangement but also threads into a pillar[5]arene cavity in a dimer form, (AgCF3CO2)2. In contrast, the same reaction in CH2Cl2/CH3OH yielded a simple 1D coordination polymer because an included CH2Cl2 molecule in the pillar[5]arene cavity prevents the threading of the silver(I) trifluoroacetate guest. Comparative 1H- and 19F-NMR studies support the solvent-dependent poly-pseudo-rotaxane formation at a lower concentration of L.

Cosmosen: Octa-Armed 24-Membered Cyclic Octaamine Synthesized from a Byproduct in the Preparation of 4-Benzyl-2,6-dioxocyclen.

The synthesis of an octa-armed 24-membered cyclic octaamine (1) is reported. When 4-benzyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-2,6-dione (3a) was prepared by the reaction of diethylenetriamine with diethyl N-benzyliminodiacetate (2), a dimeric macrocycle (3b) was obtained as a byproduct in a 5% yield. An octa-armed 24-membered cyclic octaamine (1), named Cosmosen, was prepared via the reductive amination and reduction of 3b. The binding constants for the 1:1 and 2:1 (Ag+/1) complexation of 1 were estimated to be ca. 7.9 and 13.9, respectively, by titration experiments using UV-vis spectrometry in methanol and chloroform (v/v, 9:1) solutions at 298 K.

Argentivorous Molecules with Oxyethylene Chains in Side-Arms: Silver Ion-Induced Selectivity Changes toward Alkali Metal Ions.

Argentivorous molecules with mono, di, tri, tetra, and penta-oxyethylene chains in aromatic side-arms were prepared (L1-L5). Titration experiments using proton nuclear magnetic resonance and cold electrospray ionization (cold-spray ionization, CSI) mass spectrometry showed that silver ions were trapped in the cyclen moiety and the arranged oxyethylene chains of the side-arms when two equivalents of silver ions were added. The silver complexes formed by adding one equivalent of silver ion to L2-L5 bind alkali metal ions using the oxyethylene chains; alkali metal ion-induced CSI mass spectral changes of L2-L5 were measured in the absence and presence of silver ions to compare the binding properties of the ligand for Li+, Na+, and K+ ions. As a result, the intensity ratios of [L + H + M]2+/[L + H]+ in L1-L3 were almost zero or very low. L4 and L5, which have tetra(oxyethylene) and penta(oxyethylene) chains, respectively, bind a larger size of alkali metal ions. On the other hand, in the presence of silver ions, the ratio for [L + Ag + M]2+/[L + H]+ (M = Li, Na, K) in L2-L5 was increased. The highest [L + Ag + M]2+/[L + H]+ ratios for K+ were observed in L4 and L5, while selectivity for Na+ was observed in the case of L2 and L3. These results indicate that the increased binding ability and selectivity by L2-L5 are due to the arrangement of oxyethylene chains by the conformational change of the aromatic side-arms. The Ag+-induced carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectral changes suggested that the second and third oxyethylene units, close to the benzene, are involved in the coordination of the second metal ion.

Argentivorous Molecules with Chromophores in Side Arms: Silver Ion-Induced Turn On and Turn Off of Fluorescence.

The synthesis of argentivorous molecules (L1 and L2) having two chromophores (4-(anthracen-9-yl)benzyl or 4-(pyren-1-yl)benzyl groups) and two benzyl groups and the fluorescence properties of their silver complexes in a solution and the solid state are reported. A crystallographic approach for the Ag+ complexes with L1 and L2 revealed that the observed fluorescence changes stem from the excimer formation and extinction of fluorescent. Furthermore, binding stabilities of L1 and L2 toward Ag+ ions were estimated by the Ag+-induced UV-vis and PL spectral changes.

Influence of the Reaction Sequence on the Complexation of an NS4-Macrocycle with CdII and CuI Salts Leading to the Formation of Supramolecular Isomers and an Endo/Exocyclic CuI Complex.

In the construction of metallosupramolecules, the reaction sequence in a three-reactant system (one ligand plus two metal ions) could be one of the controlling factors influencing the outcome of the reaction. In this work, the formation of supramolecular isomers (1 and 2) and an endo/exocyclic Cu+ complex (4) of the NS4-macrocycle (L) via different sequential metal addition protocols (routes I-III) is reported. In one-pot reactions of L with Cu(CH3CN)4PF6 in the absence (route I) and presence (route II) of CdI2, a cyclic dimer CuI complex, [Cu2(L)2](PF6)2 (1), and a one-dimensional coordination polymer, [Cu2(L)2]n·n[CdI4] (2), were obtained, respectively. Interestingly, the complex cations in 1 and 2 are supramolecular isomers formed via cyclization and polymerization upon complexation, respectively, probably due to different geometric and electronic complementarities, via the C-H···X- hydrogen bonds, between L and the counterion. In the two-step reaction (route III), an endocyclic Cd2+ complex, [Cd(L)I2] (3), obtained in the first step was utilized in the following reaction with Cu(CH3CN)4PF6, giving rise to an endo/exocyclic tetranuclear Cu+ complex, [Cu4(L)2(CH3CN)6](PF6)4 (4), via Cd2+ → 2Cu+ substitution, which is not accessible by conventional procedures. Solution studies by comparative NMR and electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy also support metal substitution by showing the stronger binding affinity of Cu+ over Cd2+. These results demonstrate that the metal substitution protocol could be useful for reaching novel metallosupramolecules difficult to obtain by other methods.

Construction of 2D Interdigitated Polyrotaxane Layers and their Transformation to a 3D Polyrotaxane by a Photocycloaddition Reaction between Wheels.

Following the pioneering work of Sauvage and Stoddart on rotaxanes, construction of higher dimensional polyrotaxanes in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) via a modified protocol is challenging. We present the formation of a two-dimensional (2D) polyrotaxane and its conversion to a three-dimensional (3D) polyrotaxane MOF via a photoreaction between interdigitated "olefin wheels". For this purpose, a 2-fold entangled 2D MOF [Pb2(bpp)(sdc)2] (1), showing a 2D + 2D → 2D polyrotaxane motif, has been synthesized from the solvothermal reaction of lead(II) nitrate, 3,3'-stilbenedicarboxylic acid (H2sdc) containing an olefin group, and 1,4-bis(4-pyridyl)piperazine (bpp). The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 1 revealed that the adjacent entangled 2D layers are interdigitated, with the separation of 3.72 Šbetween C═C bond pairs in adjacent layers satisfying Schmidt's criteria for the occurrence of a [2 + 2] photocycloaddition reaction. Irradiation of the single crystals of 1 under UV light resulted in formation of a 3D polyrotaxane, [Pb2(bpp)(rctt-tccb)]n (2), due to a [2 + 2] photocycloaddition reaction between two wheels via a single-crystal to single-crystal transformation. The photocycloaddition and partial thermal cleavage reaction between 1 and 2 were confirmed by 1H NMR and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) in solution and the solid state, respectively. The present approach could contribute to the understanding of the construction of higher dimensional polyrotaxanes which are not accessible by the traditional routes.

Mole-Ratio-Dependent Reversible Transformation between 2:2 and Cyclic 3:6 Silver(I) Complexes with an Argentivorous Molecule.

A tetra-armed cyclen (L) with two substituted 3,5-difluorobenzyl and two substituted pyridine-4-yl methyl groups at the 1,4- and 7,10-positions of the cyclen ring as side arms was synthesized. When L was reacted with 1 equiv of the silver(I), dimetallo[3.3]paracyclophane-like 2:2 cyclic dimer, [Ag2(L)2](PF6)2, was obtained. The reaction of L with 2 equiv of silver(I) gave a 3:6 cyclic trimer, [Ag6(L)3(CH3CN)3](OTf)6·3CH3CN. Furthermore, reversible complexation between the 2:2 cyclic dimer and 3:6 cyclic trimer was confirmed by 1H NMR and the CSI mass in the addition of silver(I) or the [2.2.2]cryptand.

Bis-Argentivorous Molecules Bridged by Phenyl and 4,4'-Biphenyl Groups: Structural and Dynamic Behavior of Silver Complexes.

Bis-argentivorous molecules (La and Lb), which have phenyl and 4,4'-biphenyl groups as linkers, have been prepared. The structures of Ag+ complexes with the new ligands (La and Lb) were investigated in solution and the solid state. The CSI-MS and 1H NMR titration of La and Lb with Ag+ show 1:1 and 1:2 complexes depending on the [Ag+]:[L] ratios. In the solid-state structures, single crystals of La and Lb with 2 equiv of Ag+ were prepared. X-ray crystallography of the silver(I) complexes with La and Lb showed that an intramolecular racemic structure (Δ(δδδδ)Λ(λλλλ) form) and a racemic mixture of Δ(δδδδ)Δ(δδδδ) and Λ(λλλλ)Λ(λλλλ) forms were formed, respectively. The dynamic 1H NMR studies suggest the following: (i) the activation entropies (ΔS⧧) of the side arm rotations in the Ag+ complex with La were all negative, indicating restricted rotation of the side arms due to their shortness, and (ii) the ΔS⧧ values of the Ag+ complexes with Lb were negative only when the side arms of both cyclens rotated simultaneously, and the ΔS⧧ values for the 1:1 and 1:2 complexes were positive when one cyclen side arm was rotated. These values of ΔS⧧ indicate that the biphenyl side arms between the two cyclens are not long enough to rotate the ring freely.

Pentacyclic Nano-Trefoil.

Tetra-armed cyclen (1) bearing two 4-(4'-pyridyl)benzyl and two 3,5-difluorobenzyl groups and its Ag+ complexes were prepared and structurally characterized. The complexes formed between 1 and Ag+ undergoes a reversible structural transformation between a 2:2 dimeric complex and a 3:5 pentacyclic trefoil complex with changes in the Ag+ /1 molar ratio. It was also revealed that the 3:5 trefoil complex could encapsulate benzene and [D6 ]benzene selectively in solid-state. The benzene-included structures are stabilized by C-H⋅⋅⋅F-C interactions between the benzene molecule and the ligand molecule.

Mechanistic insights into heavy metal ion sensing by NOS2-macrocyclic fluorosensors via the structure-function relationship: influences of fluorophores, solvents and anions.

To obtain a mechanistic understanding of the effects derived from fluorophores, solvents and anions on heavy metal sensing, two NOS2-macrocycle-based fluorosensors with different fluorophores (L1: 9-methylanthracene, L2: benzothiazolyl) were synthesised. In this regard, particular attention was given to monitoring the cation-ligand, cation-anion and cation-solvent interactions from the detailed complexation processes in both the solution and solid states while considering the structure-function relationship. L1 showed turn-on type silver(i) selectivity over other metal ions, including mercury(ii), in ethanol. According to the complexation results obtained by titration (UV-vis, fluorescence and NMR), cold-spray ionization mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography, the observed silver(i) sensing by L1 is mainly due to its 1 : 1 complexation with silver(i) via the Ag-Ntert bond and the strong solvation of mercury(ii). Thus, the turn-on sensing for silver(i) can be explained by the CHEF effect, in which the coordination of silver(i) to the receptor unit effectively prevents PET quenching. As a dual-probe (UV-vis and fluorescence) chemosensor, L2 showed fluorescence turn-off type selectivity for both silver(i) and mercury(ii) in ethanol. In acetonitrile, L2 showed improved fluorescence turn-off type selectivity for mercury(ii) with ClO4- and NO3-; however, no such responses were observed with other anions, such as Cl-, Br-, I-, SCN-, OAc- and SO42-. Together with the complexation results by titration, the crystal structures of an endocyclic mercury(ii) perchlorate complex and an exocyclic mercury(ii) iodide complex revealed that the anion-controlled mercury(ii) sensing by L2 arises from the endo- and exo-coordination modes depending on the anion coordinating ability, which induces either metal-receptor/fluorophore binding (Hg-Ntert and Hg-Nfl) or no binding. Taken collectively, the photophysical, thermodynamic and structural results of the complexations herein suggest that the sensing properties of heavy metal ions by macrocycle-based fluorosensors are very sensitive not only to the cation-receptor and cation-fluorophore interactions but also to the cation-anion (endo/exo-coordination modes) and/or cation-solvent interactions.

Influence of the Molar Ratio and Solvent on the Coordination Modes of 1,7-Dibenzyl-4,10-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)cyclen.

The synthesis of a tetra-armed cyclen (L) with two benzyl groups at the 1- and 7-positions and two pyridin-4-ylmethyl groups at the 4- and 10-positions as side arms and the solvent- and/or molar-ratio-dependent coordination modes in the formation of silver(I) complexes are reported. 1H NMR and cold-spray-ionization mass spectrometry studies suggest that a silver(I) complex with L gives different species depending on the molar ratio of silver ions used as the reactant. Furthermore, the conformation of cyclen in the one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymers, obtained using 2 equiv of silver(I), changes depending on the presence or absence of acetonitrile. When L was reacted with 1 and 2 equiv of silver(I) triflate in a mixed solvent system (CH2Cl2/CH3OH/CH3CN), a dimetallo[3.3]paracyclophane-like discrete cyclic dimer, [Ag2L2](OTf)2 (1), and a 1D coordination polymer, [Ag2L(OTf)2(CH3CN)]n (2), respectively, were obtained as single crystals. In the absence of acetonitrile, a zigzag 1D coordination polymer, {[Ag2L(OTf)]OTf·3CH2Cl2}n (3), was obtained when 2 equiv of silver(I) was used. Molar-ratio-dependent structural changes were not observed when L was reacted with AgBF4 or AgPF6 in the CH2Cl2/CH3OH/CH3CN mixed-solvent system. The solvent effect on the coordination modes can be explained by the coordination ability of the solvents toward the metal cation affecting the conformation of the cyclen.

Argentivorous Molecules Exhibiting Highly Selective Silver(I) Chiral Enhancement.

We report the synthesis of chiral tetra-armed cyclens, having an asymmetric center at one side-arm, that show selective chiral enhancement with silver(I). When the chiral ligand forms a silver(I) complex, the side-arms cover the silver(I) incorporated into the cyclen. The asymmetric center controls the conformation of the side-arms in one direction, increasing the molar ellipticity of the CD spectrum. Chiral cyclens substituted with biphenyl groups exhibit large molar ellipticity values with strong exciton coupling effects.

1H NMR Study of a Chiral Argentivorous Molecule/Ag+ Complex: Assignment of Proton Signals of Four Aromatic Rings with Slightly Different Environments.

The proton signals at the 2'- and 6'-positions of the aromatic side arms of a silver(I) complex with a chiral tetra-armed cyclen ((S)-L2) are assigned by comparison with 1H NMR spectra and X-ray structure of Ag+ complexes with three analogues of (S)-L2: (S)-L23D having one benzyl group and three deuterium-substituted benzyl groups, (S)-L22D having two benzyl groups and two deuterium-substituted benzyl groups, and (S)-L2F having three benzyl groups and one 4'-fluorobenzyl group. An interaction factor is defined by using the X-ray structures. The chemical shift values of the proton signals in the aromatic side arms can be explained by using the interaction factors that are defined by the dihedral angles, the angles between two mean planes, and the CH···π distances from the X-ray data of the (S)-L2/Ag+ complex.

Pillar[5]-bis-thiacrown: An Adaptive Tricyclic Host Selectively Recognizing an Organic Guest by Dimetalation.

Some biological receptors change their shapes and rigidity by metalation to recognize substrates precisely via adaptive guest binding process. Herein we present a semi-flexible tricyclic host molecule whose conformation is rigidified by dimetalation to uptake organic guests selectively. Considering two metal binding sites and an empty space between them, pillar[5]-bis-thiacrown (L) was synthesized. The tricyclic host L forms a disilver(I) complex [Ag2 L(NO3 )2 ], with an Ag⋅⋅⋅Ag separation of 9.976 Å. Binding studies based on 1 H NMR including 2D NOESY and DOSY experiments towards α,ω-dicyanoalkanes [CN(CH2 )n CN, n=2-6, shortly C2-C6] demonstrated that the dimetalated L, Ag2 L preferentially recognizes C2 over other guests than that of free L. Furthermore, the dimetalated the host only uptakes C2 in the presence of other guests. Crystal structures support the idea that the space between two silver(I) centers plays a decisive role on the selective guest binding forming an Ag-C2-Ag@L arrangement via the length-selective recognition. This work demonstrates the chemical example of the adaptive guest binding and presents a new perspective on the metallosupramolecules of pillararenes.

Conventional and Mechanochemical Syntheses of Copper(I) Iodide Luminescent MOF with Bis(amidoquinoline) and Its Application for the Detection of Amino Acid in Aqueous Solution.

Formation of a copper(I) iodide cluster based luminescent metal-organic frameworks (LMOFs) and its utilization for the detection of cysteine (Cys) in aqueous solution are reported. The reaction of bis(amidoquinoline) ligand (L) with copper(I) iodide afforded an LMOF {[(Cu2I2)L2]·2DMSO} n (1) with a 44-sql topology linked by Cu2I2 clusters as a thermodynamic product. Time- and temperature-dependent PXRD experiments confirmed that the entire formation process for 1 is kinetically and thermodynamically controlled. Interestingly, LMOF 1 was also obtained under the mechanochemical condition. Moreover, LMOF 1 dispersed in water shows a selective quenching for Cys over other amino acids due to the strong affinity of Cys to copper(I) iodide. On the basis of the NMR data of L isolated from the decomposition of 1, the decomposition-displacement mechanism was proposed for the sensing of Cys. This result might be utilized for the practical detection of Cys because the sensing material can be prepared simply, and the sensing process is performed in aqueous media.

Formation of a Pillar[5]arene-Based Two-Dimensional Poly-Pseudo-Rotaxane: Threading and Crosslinking by the Same Guest Molecules.

A one-pot reaction of the A1/A2-thiopyridyl pillar[5]arene L with silver(I) trifluoroacetate in the presence of the linear dinitrile guest C8, [CN(CH2 )n CN, n=8], afforded the first example of a two-dimensional (2D) poly-pseudo-rotaxane {[(µ4 -Ag)2 (C8@L)2 (µ-C8)](CF3 CO2 )2 }n . Surprisingly, in this structure the C8 guest not only threads into the pillar[5]arene unit but also crosslinks the 1D coordinative polymeric arrays. The formation of the 2D poly-pseudo-rotaxane is driven by an adaptive rearrangement of the components that minimizes the steric clashes not only between the threaded guests but also between the threaded and crosslinked guests where crosslinking occurs. A pathway for the formation of the 2D poly-pseudo-rotaxane is proposed.

pseudo[1]Catenane-Type Pillar[5]thiacrown Whose Planar Chiral Inversion is Triggered by Metal Cation and Controlled by Anion.

Chiral inversion of single molecules has been a challenging task because chirality information controls structures and functions of various molecules, artificial nanostructures, DNA, and proteins. Herein we present a pseudo[1]catenane-type molecule whose planar chiral inversion is driven by a metal ion under the control of anions for the first time. Considering an in-out equilibrium of a fused thiacrown and the soft metal binding, pillar[5]thiacrown ( rac-L) was synthesized. Two planar-chiral enantiomers of rac-L ( in-pS-L and in-pR-L) were isolated and the absolute configuration was determined by circular dichroism and single crystal X-ray analysis. The in-pS-L recognizes Hg2+ to trigger the chiral inversion to out-pR-L, to our surprise; it takes place only in the presence of ClO4- or NO3- among the anions used. In the mercury(II) perchlorate complex solution, anion-exchange from ClO4- to I- or removal of Hg2+ by addition of S2- makes the system reversible. The crystallographic approach reveals that the anions act as coordination mode-directing species ( endo- or exo-coordination) which play a decisive role on the chiral inversion. For instance, the week coordinating ClO4- allows Hg2+ to locate inside the thiacrown ( endo-coordination) which causes the chiral inversion from in-pS-L to out-pR-L due to the expansion of the thiacrown unit upon endo-mode complexation. Oppositely, the strong coordinating I- takes Hg2+ out of the thiacrown ( exo-coordination) without large conformational changes of the thiacrown, resulting in no chiral inversion. A series of experimental works was also accomplished with the other enantiomer in-pR-L, which afforded identical results. Consequently, the chiral inversion is governed by steric factors that arise from the coordination modes depending on the coordinating ability of anions. This work demonstrates the first chiral inversion induced by combination of metal ion and anion and presents a new perspective on the supramolecular coordination chemistry of pillar[ n]arenes.

Endo- and Exocyclic Coordination of a 20-Membered N2O2S2-Macrocycle and Cascade Complexation of a 40-Membered N4O4S4-Macrocycle.

A 20-membered N2O2S2-macrocycle (L1) and a 40-membered N4O4S4-macrocycle (L2) were employed as a [1:1] and a [2:2] cyclization product, respectively, for the preparation of diverse types of supramolecular complexes including a cascade complex. Six complexes (1-6) of the smaller macrocycle L1 including discrete to continuous forms, mono- to heteronuclear, and endo- to exo- and endo/exocoordination were prepared and their coordination modes were discussed systemically. First, the reaction of L1 with CuI in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid afforded an exocyclic 1-D coordination polymer {[(µ4-Cu4I4)(HL1)2](CF3COO)2} n (1). Meanwhile, the reaction of L1 with Cu(ClO4)2·6H2O afforded a typical endocyclic mononuclear complex [CuII(L1)](ClO4)2·H2O (2). In the reactions of L1 with CdX2 (X = Br and I), isostructural sandwich-type complexes [Cd(L1)2Br2] (3) and [Cd(L1)2I2] (4) were isolated. The treatment of L1 with Hg(ClO4)2 also afforded a sandwich-type complex [Hg(L1)2](ClO4)2 (5). One-pot reaction of L1 with a mixture of HgI2 and CdI2 afforded a dumbbell-type heteronuclear complex {[Cd(L1)]2(µ-Hg2I6)}[Hg2I6] (6), in which the Cd(II) ion occupies the macrocyclic cavity. Further, such two endocyclic Cd(II) complex units are bridged by a square-type (µ-Hg2I6)2- cluster remaining another same cluster separately. The comparative NMR data exhibited a higher affinity of Cd(II) over Hg(II) toward L1, in the parallel to the situation occurred in the solid state. Meanwhile, complexations of the extra-large macrocycle L2 is more challenging to afford some interesting dimercury(II) coordination products including a cascade complex. In solution, the dimercury(II) perchlorato complex of L2 as a metalloligand shows a preferential binding of dabco (1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane), but its dimercury(II) iodo complex has a much smaller affinity for dabco. In order to explain these results, the solid dimercury(II) complexes with different anions [Hg2(L2)X4] (7: X = I, 8: X = ClO4) were prepared and characterized. Further, the dimercury(II) perchlorato complex 8 reacts with dabco to forms a cascade complex [Hg2(L2)(µ-dabco)(ClO4)2](ClO4)2·2DMF·2ether (9), exhibiting its formation being metal-driven and coordinated anion-regulated. The observed cascade complexation both in solution and solid states is an example of the adaptive guest binding.

Group 12 Metal Complexes of an 18-Membered N2O2S2 Macrocycle Incorporating Two Pyridines: First Examples of an Infinite Mercury(I) Complex and a Dumbbell-Shaped Heteronuclear Complex with a Macrocyclic Ligand.

Homo- and heteronuclear group 12 metal (Zn2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+) complexes 1-6 containing a newly designed 18-membered N2O2S2 macrocycle incorporating two pyridine subunits (L) were prepared and structurally characterized. The individual complexes isolated exhibit unusual stoichiometries, geometries, oxidation states, and structural topologies and include an infinite mercurous complex and a heteronuclear dumbbell-shaped complex. Both the Zn(II) complex [Zn(L)][ZnBr4] (1) and the Cd(II) complex [Cd(L)Br2] (2) are mononuclear, with the metal ion located inside the macrocyclic cavity. The six-coordinated Zn(II) center in 1 adopts an octahedral geometry and is shielded from the anion and solvent by the strongly bound macrocycle. The Cd(II) center in 2 is seven-coordinate, being bound equatorially to two N donors, two O donors, and a S donor from the macrocycle and axially to two bromide ions on opposite sides of the macrocyclic plane, adopting a pentagonal-bipyramidal geometry. In the Hg(II) complexations, the configuration adopted by the macrocycle L shows a dependence of the nuclearity on the anion used. When mercury(II) bromide was used, the dinuclear complex [HgII2(L)Br4] (3) was obtained, while the reaction with mercury(II) nitrate afforded the unexpected Hg(I) complex {[HgI2(L)](NO3)2}n (4) with a one-dimensional polymeric structure. In heterometallic complexation experiments, one-pot reaction of L with a mixture of ZnBr2 and CdBr2·4H2O resulted in the stepwise isolation of two pure solubility-dependent Cd(II) complexes (2 and 5), including the half-dumbbell-type complex [Cd(L)(µ-Br)(CdBr3)] (5), while a mixture of CdBr2·4H2O and HgBr2 yielded the heterometallic bis(macrocycle) product [(CdL)2(µ-Hg2Br6)](Hg2Br6) (6). This is the first example of a heteronuclear dumbbell-shaped complex in which two terminal macrocyclic Cd(II) complexes are linked by a hexabromodimercury(II) cluster via Cd-Br-Hg bonds. The heterometallic dumbbell 6 can be considered as a good example of competition and collaboration between Cd(II) and Hg(II) ions because its formation is associated with the higher coordination affinity of Cd(II) toward the macrocycle and the formation of the (Hg2Br6)2- cluster, which links the two endocyclic Cd(II) complexes directly. Both NMR titration and comparative NMR data indicate a relatively higher coordination affinity of Cd(II) toward the macrocycle than occurs for Hg(II), in parallel to the situation observed in the solid state.