The interaction of nitrogen and sulphur donor macrocyclic ligands with dirhodium(II) tetracarboxylates

Reaction of dirhodium(II) tetracarboxylates [Rh2(O2CR)4] with 1,4,8,11-tetra-azacyclotetradecane cyclam, L1 under ambient conditions leads to the formation of the stable adducts [Rh2O2CR4(cyclam)]n. Under similar conditions reaction of dirhodium(II) tetracarboxylates with the tridentate macrocycles 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L3), N,N′,N″- trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L4) and 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane (L5) gives adducts of 3:2 stoichiometry [{Rh2(O2CR)4}3(L)2]n. The stoichiometries of these polymeric adducts illustrate the exo manner in which the macrocyclic ligands bind to the binuclear metal substrates.