Flexible arene ruthenium metalla-prisms

Abstract Cationic arene ruthenium metalla-prisms of the general formula [Ru 6 ( p -cymene) 6 (tpmtt) 2 (OO∩OO) 3 ] 6+ (tpmtt = 1,3,5-tris(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-trione) have been obtained from the corresponding dinuclear arene ruthenium complexes [Ru 2 ( p -cymene) 2 (OO∩OO)Cl 2 ] (OO∩OO = oxalato (ox), 2,5-dioxido-1,4-benzoquinonato (dobq), 2,5-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinonato (dClbq), 2,5-dioxido-3-undecyl-1,4-benzoquinonato (dubq), 5,8-dioxido-1,4-naphtoquinonato (donq)) by reaction with the tridentate tpmtt ligand and silver trifluoromethanesulfonate. These cationic arene ruthenium metalla-prisms have been isolated and characterized as their triflate salts. Upon formation of the metalla-prisms, the two tpmtt panels are in close proximity and do not allow encapsulation of guest molecules.