title: Recognition of Li+ by a salophen-UO2 homodimeric complex.
abstract: Self-assembly via mutual U-coordination of the salophen-UO(2) complex 1 creates a dimeric species which is shown to be useful for metal binding. Indeed, the 1 dimer has affinity for alkali metal cations and, interestingly, a marked selectivity for Li(+), determined by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and (1)H NMR techniques. X-ray diffraction helped in the elucidation of the dimeric complex structure, which presents a crown-ether-type coordination site, in analogy to the more familiar 12-crown-4, responsible for the metal interaction. Comparison with isomer 2, and the salen derivative 3, increases the understanding of the behavior of such systems in solution and in the solid state.
authors.affiliation: Nanoscience Center, Department of Chemistry, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cametti
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ilander
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rissanen