A double decker type complex: copper(i) iodide complexation with mixed donor macrocycles via [1 : 1] and [2 : 2] cyclisations

Abstract

19-membered and a 38-membered macrocycles obtained as a mixture via respective [1 : 1] and [2 : 2] cyclisations were separated and their coordination behaviours with copper(I) iodide were investigated. One of the notable products isolated is a tetranuclear bis(macrocycle) complex with the larger macrocycle adopting a double decker type structure. Furthermore, removal of the lattice solvent molecules in the above complex in air motivates the displacement of the double decker units along the a-axis by sliding in a single-crystal-to-single-crystal manner.