Catechol imine ligands: from helicates to supramolecular tetrahedra.
Di- and tricatechol imines are easily accessible by condensation of appropriate amines with 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. Dicatechol imines can be used for the alkali metal template-directed self-assembly of dinuclear triple-stranded helicates or meso-helicates with high diastereoselectivity. Tricatechol imines lead in self-assembly processes to metallosupramolecular 4 [ratio] 4 tetrahedra with a huge internal cavity, which is able to encapsulate guest species. Hereby the special features of the imine unit can be used to control the outcome of the self-assembly process.
Albrecht
Markus
M
Institut fur Organische Chemie der RWTH-Aachen, Professor-Pirlet-Str. 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany. markus.albrecht@oc.rwth-aachen.de
Janser
Ingo
I
Frohlich
Roland
R