Chemistry and synthesis of polynuclear macrocycles

A series of di-, tetra- and octanuclear transition metal complexes of tetranucleating macrocyclic ligands derived from a Schiff-base [2+2] template condensation of 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol (dfmp) or 2,6-diformyl-4-tbutylphenol (tdfp) with 1,5-diaminopentan-3-ol dihydrochloride (dahp), H4L1 and H4L2 respectively, has been investigated. The characterisation of these complexes was achieved using infrared spectrometry, elemental analysis, FAB mass spectrometry and where possible single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. A study of the interaction of tetranickel(II) complexes of H4L1 and H4L2 with acetate and benzoate led to the structural determination of [Ni4(L2)(μ4-OH)(CH3CO2)3(CH3CO2H)(H2O)]·7H2O. The interaction of benzotriazolate and pyrazolate as coordinating anions with dinuclear copper and nickel complexes has led to the isolation of novel macrocyclic complexes with vacant coordination sites. [Continues.]