Aufbau synthesis of a mixed-metal anion receptor cage
Abstract
The isolation and structural characterisation of square planar [Ni(atu)2] (Hatu = amidinothiourea) has provided a rational basis to synthesise the novel mixed-metal cage compounds [Ni4Pd2(atu)8X]X3 (X = Cl, Br); one of these cages (when X = Cl) has been crystallographically characterised showing that the chloride anion is encapsulated in the centre of the cage forming eight hydrogen-bonds with N–H groups from the ligands and two Lewis acid–base interactions with two palladium(II) ions.