Dinuclear and Polynuclear Metal Ion Cryptates

Numerous dinucleating macrocyclic and macrobicyclic ligands have been synthesized, in particular by the versatile amine + carbonyl — imine reaction they form dinuclear metal complexes as well as cascade complexes with bridging groups [2.58-2.63, 3.24-3.27, 4.1-4.4], for instance in dicobalt complexes that are oxygen carriers [3.26]. 

Lateral macrobicycles are dissymmetric by design thus, monoelectronic reduction of the Cu(ll) ion bound to the [12]-N2S2 macrocyclic subunit in the bis-Cu(ll) cryptate 45, gives a mixed valence Cu(i)-Cu(ll) complex [4.6]. Macrotricycle 46 forms a dinuclear Cu(ll) cryptate that acts as a dielectronic receptor and exchanges two electrons in a single electrochemical wave [4.7]. Complexes of type 47 combine a redox centre and a Lewis acid centre for the potential activation of a bound substrate [4.8]. 

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