Tuning the planarity of [2 × 2] grids†
Abstract
New [2 × 2] metallogrids derived from a ditopic ligand with terminal salicylaldimine binding sites giving six-membered chelate rings have been structurally characterised in order to determine the effect of ring size variation on the planarity of the core M4 unit. Both the Zn4 unit of the grid formed from the neutral ligand and the Fe4 unit of the grid formed from the doubly deprotonated ligand are very close to planar, despite considerable differences in the coordination spheres of the two metal ions and the difference in their oxidation states (Zn(II), Fe(III)).