Self-assembled supramolecular cages containing dinuclear ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes

Four dinuclear ruthenium(II) terpyridine complexes containing terminal pyridyl groups were synthesised for assembly into larger heterometallic supramolecular structures. These 4 nm long metalloligands are capable of binding additional metal ions. Combination of tetrakis(acetonitrile)palladium(II) tetrafluoroborate with one of the dinuclear complexes lead to rapid self-assembly of a [Pd2L4]20+ cage, which was characterised using high resolution electrospray mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy, including diffusion measurements.