A caged tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligand equipped with a Ctriazole–H hydrogen bonding cavity

Abstract

A capped bioinspired ligand built from a tris(2-pyridyl-methyl)amine (TPA) unit and surmounted by a triazole-based intramolecular H-bonding secondary sphere was prepared. The resulting cage provides a well-defined cavity combining the hydrophobic nature with H-bonding properties. Its coordinating properties were explored using Zn(II) and Cu(II) metal ions.