title: Cooperative self-assembly of a macrocyclic Schiff base complex.
abstract: A metal template approach affords in high yield a tetra-Zn(salphen) macrocycle (3) which shows strong and cooperative self-assembly mediated by the formation of Zn(salphen) dimer units held together via μ(2)-phenoxo interactions. A cooperative binding mode for the tetranuclear Zn(4) macrocycle 3 is supported by comparison of UV-vis and fluorescence titration data recorded for 3 when compared with respective mononuclear and dinuclear Zn(salphen) model compounds. UV-vis dilution experiments carried out for Zn(4) macrocycle 3 and its Pd(4) analogue 4, as well as comparative TEM studies involving the same tetranuclear macrocycles further support the strong assembly behavior of 3. This self-assembly seems to be primarily dictated by its ability to form multiple, self-assembled dimeric [Zn(salphen)](2) units.
authors: Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Av. Països Catalans 16, 43007, Tarragona, Spain.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Salassa
authors: Ana M
authors: AM
authors: Castilla
authors: Arjan W
authors: AW
authors: Kleij