An octapositive cation incorporating multiple redox centres: Cage amine complexes of cobalt(III) linked by a 2,2 '-bis(pyridinium) unit

Abstract

The methyl substituents of diquaternized 4,4′-dimethyl-2-2′-bipyridine are sufficiently acidic to be used as the source of a bridgehead carbon in the formation of cage amine derivatives from [Co(sen)]3+ [sen = 4,4′,4″-ethylidynetris(3-azabutan-1-amine)]. The resulting octapositive bis(cage)-bipyridinium species can be obtained in both meso and optically active forms, the latter showing readily detectable potential shifts in the presence of enantiomeric anions.