Kinetic selection of Pd4L2metallocyclic and Pd6L3trigonal prismatic assemblies

Abstract

The self-assembly of Pd4L2metallocylcic and Pd6L3trigonal prismatic assemblies are described. The selection of one species over the other has been achieved by careful choice of ancilliary ligands, which switch the dynamics of the Pd-pyridine bonds such that a highly unusual and distorted smaller assembly can be kinetically trappeden routeto the more energetically favourable larger species. Both assemblies provide promise as easy to access multicavity reaction vessels.