Supramolecular "transmetalation" leads to an unusual self-assembled P2L3 cryptand

Abstract

"figure presented" Out with the old, in with the new: Can the transmetalation of metal-organic supramolecular assemblies lead to new structure types? A series of Bi, Sb, and As-containing cryptands is reported that can be transmetalated to give a novel P2L3 cryptand (see scheme). The P-S bonds behave reversibly, like traditional metalligand bonds, suggesting a possible new motif for dynamic covalent chemistry. © 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KCaA.