Confinement of a Au–N-heterocyclic carbene in a Pd6L12 metal–organic cage†
Abstract
A Au(I)–N-heterocyclic-carbene (NHC)-edged Pd6L12 molecular metal–organic cage is assembled from a Au(I)–NHC-based bipyridyl bent ligand and Pd2+. The octahedral cage structure is unambiguously established by NMR, electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry and single crystal X-ray crystallography. The electrochemical behaviour was analyzed by cyclic voltammetry. The octahedral cage has a central cavity for guest binding, and is capable of encapsulating PF6− and BF4− anions within the cavity.