M8L12 cubic cages with all facial Δ or facial Λ configuration: effects of surface anions on the occupancy of the cage and anion exchange

Abstract

M₈L₁₂ cubic cages (M = Mn^II, Zn^II or Cd^II), with all eight metal ions having all facial Δ or facial Λ configurations and having an encapsulated anion, were prepared by the self-assembly of m-xylene-bridged imidazolyl-imine ligands and MX₂ (X = PF₆⁻, SbF₆⁻, TfO⁻) salts; the encapsulated anion exchange with different anions (SbF₆⁻, Tf₂N⁻, NO₃⁻, TsO⁻) was studied and the results with NO₃⁻ and TsO⁻ indicate that anions on the cage surfaces affect the encapsulated anion exchange and the occupancy of the cage.