Cages with tetrahedron-like topology formed from the combination of cyclotricatechylene ligands with metal cations

Abstract

Cage the elephant: Anionic tetrahedral assemblies, formed from the combination of cyclotricatechylene anions with transition metal ions, such as vanadium (see picture), contain large internal cavities that can act as hosts for alkali metal ions and solvent molecules. With appropriate metal centers, the anionic units can be linked together to form highly symmetric coordination polymers (V blue, O red, C black). (Figure Presented) © 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.