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A complex host–guest equilibrium employing metal ions incorporated into both the host and guest is discussed. MIIX42− metallate guests are shown to provide a good size and shape match for encapsulation within the M4L6 tetrahedral capsules, facilitating the generation of previously unreported Zn4L6 complexes. Displacement of the initial, primary template anion (ZnBr42−) by a secondary template anion (ClO4−) is shown to result in the formation of a pentagonal-prismatic Zn10L15 structure that incorporates both Br− and ClO4−. Furthermore, the formation of heterometallic complexes provides direct evidence for metal exchange between the guest and host complex.
A variety of complex three-dimensional supramolecular architectures have been templated using non-coordinating anions bound in internal binding pockets.1–10 Such anions may be present either as the counterion of the metal salt, or added externally. The dynamic nature of host–guest complexes, which enables their formation, can facilitate subsequent structural rearrangements driven by replacement of one anion for another.11,12 Building upon these foundations, here we show that complex MIIX42− anions may serve as templates for intricate three-dimensional structures. These anions are constructed from the same dicationic first-row transition-metal ions that form the vertices of the host framework, and they are generated during the same equilibration process that generates the host. Their use as structural templates provides an added layer of complexity in the synthesis of metal–organic capsules.
Subcomponent self-assembly, where ligands and complex come together during the same overall process, has proven useful in the preparation of a variety of new materials13–20 and functional structures.21–28 We have previously reported its use in the preparation of a diverse range of discrete three-dimensional architectures29,30 starting with p-toluidine and 6,6′-diformyl-3,3′-bipyridine subcomponents, and cobalt(II) or zinc(II) salts (NO3−, BF4−, ClO4− or CF3SO3−) as templates. In contrast, when cobalt(II) or zinc(II) bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide (triflimide, NTf2−) is employed, a dynamic library (DL) is observed because the triflimide anion is too large to serve as a template.31 Herein we discuss addition of halide or pseudohalide anions Cl−, Br−, I−, OCN− or SCN− to Zn(NTf2)2- or Co(NTf2)2-containing DL's. These reactions result in the in situ generation of complex metallate anions, which serve as optimal templates for M4L6 tetrahedra.32–34 Structural interconversion between a Zn4L6 tetrahedron, Zn-1, containing a centrally bound dianionic guest, and a larger Zn10L15 pentagonal architecture, Zn-2, templated by five monoanionic ClO4− anions was also demonstrated.
When the subcomponents of L (Scheme 1) were mixed with CoII(NTf2)2 (6 equiv. L per 4 equiv. CoII), a broad 1H NMR spectrum characteristic of a dynamic library of different coordination complexes (Co-DL) was observed. Following the addition of KBr (4 equiv. per 5 equiv. CoII) to Co-DL, the 1H NMR spectrum displayed a single sharp resonance per ligand proton environment (Fig. S1†). ESI-MS analysis provided evidence for a tetrabromocobaltate [CoIIBr4]2− adduct of 1 (Fig. S2†). No evidence for a simple bromide adduct was obtained when less KBr was employed, suggesting that [CoIIBr4]2− provides an optimal size, shape and Coulombic fit for the cavity of 1.
Scheme 1 Subcomponent self-assembly of [MX4]2− ⊂ M4L6 complexes showing both of the equilibration processes necessary for complex formation; (i) formation of the metallate template and; (ii) self-assembly of the ligand L.
Further evidence for formation of [CoIIBr4]2− was obtained through UV-Vis spectroscopy, which displayed characteristic [CoIIBr4]2− absorbance bands in the 500–800 nm window. The complex absorbance profile is indicative of the multiple accessible electronic excited states which are available to tetrahedral cobalt species,35 and corresponds well to the absorbance of the [CoIIBr4]2− dianion in the absence of the Co4L6 tetrahedral cage (Fig. S3†).
Fig. 1 Single-crystal X-ray structures of Co4L6 tetrahedra; (a) [CoBr4]2− ⊂ 1, stick representation of the host with the centrally bound anion shown in a space-filling representation and (b) host and guest both shown in space-filling mode, highlighting the tight fit of the guest within the symmetry-matched capsule; (c) SbF6− ⊂ Co-1. Solvent, counterions and disorder are omitted for clarity. Atom colours; carbon grey, hydrogen white, nitrogen blue, cobalt(II) orange, bromine red, fluorine cyan.
A variety of other dianions were previously investigated as potential guest molecules for this metal–ligand system, however, no evidence was obtained for the formation of a host–guest complex upon addition of Na2SO4, Na2SeO4, Na2TeO4, Na2MoO4, (NH4)2SnF6, or K2CrO4.31 The increased energy of desolvation associated with dianions relative to their monoanionic counterparts generally makes their encapsulation less energetically favourable.34,37–39 Thus [CoIIBr4]2− is both the first dianionic guest to be bound within Co-1, and the largest guest to be accommodated within its cavity (Scheme 1).
The tight fit of [CoIIBr4]2− within the tetrahedral host is apparent from Fig. 1b, as is the complimentary shape of the host–guest pair.38 The centrally bound tetrahedral guest adopts a complementary orientation to that of the CoII4L6 tetrahedron, wherein each bromide points directly out of an open face of the capsule. In contrast, when the octahedral anion SbF6− was bound within Co-1, not all of the fluorine atoms can orient towards an open face of the tetrahedron (Fig. 1c). The shape match between [CoBr4]2− and 1 thus facilitates accommodation of this large (115 Å3) anion within Co-1. Further evidence of a good fit is provided by the observation that the Co–Co distances (9.763(1) Å) of host 1 in [CoBr4]2− ⊂ Co-1 were not observed to lengthen from the 9.681(3)–9.825(3) Å and 9.753(3)–9.863(3) Å Co–Co distances observed for the SbF6− and MeCN40 inclusion complexes, respectively. This observation indicates that the increased size of the dianionic template does not affect the size of the central binding pocket, leading us to hypothesise that other tetrahedral species, which have longer arms that are capable of protruding through the faces of the capsule,41–43 might prove suitable templates for Co-1.
Our hypothesis was tested using the pseudohalide OCN−, which displays similar reactivity to Br−, and is known to generate the [CoII(NCO)4]2− dianion.44,45 The addition of KOCN (0.4 equiv.) to Co-DL followed by sonication and heating at 323 K for 24 hours yielded a 1H NMR profile consistent with the formation of a tetrahedral capsule. The broad 1H NMR profile associated with the mixture of species present in the Co-DL simplified to show one set of resonances per ligand proton, as was observed with KBr. ESI-MS also confirmed formation of the [CoII(NCO)4]2− ⊂ Co-1 complex (Fig. S5†).
In common with cobalt(II) complexes, zinc(II) complexes can be either four- or six-coordinate. Furthermore, no crystal field stabilisation effects are observed for zinc(II) complexes due to their d10 electronic configuration, implying that a wider range of ligands might be employed to generate the tetrahalozincate inclusion complexes. The diamagnetic nature of this series of complexes also allows more subtle changes in the chemical environments of the host–guest complexes to be probed by 1H NMR (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2 1H NMR (400 MHz, 298 K, CD3CN) of a range of Zn4L6 tetrahedra, Zn-1, with anionic guests; (a) SbF6−; (b) [ZnCl4]2−; (c) [ZnBr4]2−; (d) [ZnI4]2−; (e) [Zn(NCO)4]2−; (f) [Zn(NCS)4]2−. Proton Hg indicated in red, experiences the greatest change in chemical shift with anion variation. Blue dots indicate excess p-toluidine.
As with CoII, when a range of halide and pseudohalide anions were added directly to the Zn-DL generated from the subcomponents of L and Zn(NTf2)2, the complex 1H NMR associated with the mixture of species in the dynamic library simplified to give a well defined 1H NMR profile displaying one resonance per ligand proton, consistent with the formation of Zn4L6 tetrahedral complexes (Fig. 2). The 1H NMR resonance corresponding to Hg (Fig. 2), which is directed across the open face of the Zn4L6 complexes, showed the greatest variation in chemical shift upon guest binding. For the series of halide anions, Cl−, Br− and I−, a significant downfield shift of Hg relative to SbF6− ⊂ Zn-1 was observed. This observation is consistent with increasing contact between the larger centrally-bound anions and Hg. In contrast, the octahedral SbF6− anion cannot align itself effectively with the open faces of the tetrahedron and therefore does not effect a substantial change in the chemical shift of Hg.
Fig. 3 Visualisation of template anion–ligand proton orientation for [Zn(NCS)4]2− ⊂ Zn-1 and [Zn(NCO)4]2− ⊂ Zn-1. Image based on the single crystal X-ray structure of [CoBr4]2− ⊂ Co-1, where the [CoBr4]2− guest is replaced with [Zn(NCS)4]2−. Atom colours; carbon grey, hydrogen white, nitrogen blue, zinc(II) turquoise, sulfur gold.
The observation that Br− could induce formation of 1 when added to Co-DL is of interest for two reasons: firstly, the ability to selectively bind tetrahalometallate anions over their corresponding halide anions in organic media, particularly chloride, is of great interest in the hydrometallurgy industry.46–48 Secondly, Br− binds within the centre of CoII10L15 pentagonal prism, Co-2,40 which self-assembles from p-toluidine, 6,6′-diformyl-3,3′-bipyridine and CoII(ClO4)2 in acetonitrile.40 Similarly, addition of KBr (0.6 equiv.) to the reaction mixture generated from p-toluidine, 6,6′-diformyl-3,3′-bipyridine and Zn(ClO4)2 generates a Zn10L15 complex with five peripherally bound ClO4− anions and a centrally bound bromide anion, Br− ⊂ Zn-2. The single-crystal X-ray structure of Br− ⊂ Zn-2 (Fig. 4) indicates that the complex is isostructural to previously reported M10L15 complexes formed from the same ligand,31,40 and to its chloride bound analogue (details of Cl− ⊂ Zn-2 are provided in the ESI†).
Fig. 4 Single-crystal X-ray structure of Br− ⊂ Zn-2; (a) indicating the overall connectivity of the structure; (b) cut away view of the central binding pocket, highlighting the tight fit of the bromide anion within the central binding pocket; (c) side on view of the same complex showing that the bromide anion is bound at the centre of the channel through H-bonding with ten inward-pointing pyridyl hydrogen atoms. Disorder is omitted for clarity.
Two reactions performed in parallel highlight the second-order templation effect40 of the ClO4− anion within this system. Under identical conditions, KBr (0.6 equiv.) was added to two portions of Zn-DL, one of which contained LiClO4 (0.8 equiv.). In the absence of perchlorate, the tetrabromozincate anion was generated and acted as a template for tetrahedron Zn-1. In the presence of perchlorate, however, the larger pentagonal prismatic structure, Zn-2, was formed with a single bromide anion bound at its centre, and no evidence for formation of Zn-1 was observed (Scheme 2). The different pathways followed by the system highlight its finely balanced thermodynamics, and the differential influence of the tetrabromozincate and perchlorate template anions. Increasing the salt concentration of the reaction mixture led to significant precipitation, but after addition of more than 1.3 equiv. of LiClO4, which is more than four times the amount required to template the M10L15 complex from Zn-DL, to a solution containing solely [ZnBr4]2− ⊂ Zn-1 the ratio of Zn-1 : Zn-2 was 1 : 8. In contrast, increasing the concentration of Br− in the reaction mixture of Br− ⊂ Zn-2 generated precipitate, and no evidence was obtained for formation of [ZnBr4]2− ⊂ Zn-1 in solution (Fig. S20†). These results indicate that the pentagonal prismatic structure Zn-2 is favoured over the tetrahedron, Zn-1, in the presence of both ClO4− and Br− in solution.
Scheme 2 Interconversion pathways between Zn-DL, Zn-1 and Zn-2. Zn-1 is generated from Zn-DL upon addition of bromide anions, which generate ZnBr42− metallate anions mutually stabilised upon encapsulation within the M4L6 tetrahedral host. Zn-2 can be generated from Zn-1 upon addition of ClO4− anions. Increasing the ratio of Br− to ClO4− anions does not facilitate conversion of Zn-2 to Zn-1.
For all of the reactions described herein, no evidence was obtained for association of the M4L6 complexes with either simple halide anions,50,51 or more than one dianion. ESI-MS of each reaction mixture displayed peaks corresponding to [MX4]2− ⊂ [M4L6]8+, where the remaining charge was in all cases balanced by triflimide counterions. The same results were obtained when the preformed anions [CoBr4]2− and [CoCl4]2− were added directly to Co-DL.
The self-assembly of heterometallic species was also investigated. 1H NMR analysis of reaction mixtures generated from addition of [CoBr4]2− or [CoCl4]2− anions to Zn-DL indicated several paramagnetically shifted resonances clustered across distinct spectral regions. In contrast to the complex 1H NMR, the ESI-MS spectra consisted of well-defined m/z peaks displaying an unusually wide distribution. Taken together these observations led us to postulate that a dynamic library of mixed metal species had been formed with overlapping m/z peaks (Fig. S21–26†). Observation of complexes containing multiple cobalt metal centres indicates that the [CoX4]2− salts are a suitable source of cobalt(II) for generation of Co4L6 tetrahedra in the presence of solubilising counterions.
This work was supported by the U.K. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The authors thank W. J. Ramsay for calculation of tetrahalometallate anion volumes, and the Diamond Light Source (U.K.) for synchrotron beam time on I19 (MT7984 and MT8464).
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‡ Current address: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Chemistry, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.

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