A polyhedral host constructed using a linear template

Abstract

A linear template is used to direct the synthesis of a "head-to-head" tetrapyridine in the solid state, which, in a second step, assembles with a transition-metal-ion to form a polyhedral metal-organic host with a structure that conforms to a trigonal antiprism. The application of the linear template is reminiscent of the synthetic strategy of nature. Copyright © 2002 American Chemical Society.