Insertion of a strongly π–π stacked chloranilate pair into an M4 arrangement preorganized within a large macrocyclic ligand (M = Zn2+ and Cu2+)

Abstract

Four Zn(II) ions arranged within a pyridine-modified large phenolate-containing macrocycle L_py²⁻ encapsulate two chloranilate ions in a double bis-didentate bridging fashion; the ligands are strongly π–π stacked with each other with a short distance of 3.27 Å and are electrochemically reduced at the same potential of – 1.00 V to produce a reasonably stable biradical species with T_1/2 = 60 min at 25 °C.