Hierarchical, Lithium-Templated Assembly of Helicate-Type Complexes: How Versatile Is This Reaction?

Catechol ligands that bear carbonyl functions such as esters or aldehydes in the 3-position (1a–c-H2) form triple-stranded, helicate-type complexes [Li3(1a–c)6Ti2]– with titanium(IV) and the corresponding double-stranded compounds [Li2(1a–c)4B2] with boron(III) in hierarchical, lithium-templatedprocesses. The related 8-hydroxyquinoline ligands 2a,b-H can be used for the formation of similar complexes[Li3(2a,b)6M2]+ with cobalt(II), nickel(II), or zinc(II). A prerequisite for the formation of the lithium-bridged dimers is a negative charge of the mononuclear complexes, which are able to electrostatically attract the lithium cations and thus compensate the repulsion between the cations. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)