Multidecker complexes 4-arene

These systems exhibit considerable affinity for halide anions. X-ray analysis ascertained the formation of an anionic 2 1 chloride adduct of (1) where the chloride is simultaneously bound by four mercury atoms. In the crystal structures of (2) Cl and (2) l2, the anions are located within the macrocycle and complexed cooperatively by the four mercury(II) centers. Several anionic complexes of (3), including bromide, iodide, and thiocyanide salts, have been isolated. The compounds adopt multidecker stmctures with the hexacoordinated anions effectively sandwiched between two successive molecules of (3). The Lewis acidity of perfluoro-ortAo-phenylenemercury (3) has also been substantiated by its ability to form stable adducts with neutral substrates (HMPA, DMSO, ethyl acetate, and acetonitrile) and arenes. The (3) -CeHe adduct exists as extended stacks of nearly parallel, staggered molecules of (3), which sandwich benzene molecules. Similar structures have been reported for the corresponding adducts with biphenyl, naphthalene, pyrene, and triphenylene. 

Interesting electrical properties are to be expected with the stepwise extension of this TT-system. The preparation of multilayered cyclophanes proved to be laborious [6] nevertheless new synthetic methods in transition metal chemistry of arenes have opened up a promising alternative approach via preparation of multidecker sandwich complexes (structure type D in Fig. 3). First row transition metals like chromium, iron and cobalt [51] form strong coordinative bonds with arenes when their oxidation state is low [48a] whereas second and third row elements like ruthenium, rhodium and iridium are strongly bonded towards arenes in higher oxidation states [48a, 51]. Sandwich complexes of cyclophanes can be divided into two groups ... 

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