Synthesis and characterization of supramolecular assemblies of cobalt(II)

Abstract

Supramolecular chemistry is based on weak interactions formed between molecules. In this area, a new series of Cobalt(II)-based helicates have been developed, which due to its intramolecular interactions and the properties of cobalt can lead to interesting magnetic properties, such as behaving as Single Molecular Magnets (SMMs) or presenting spin transition (SCO). This work describes the synthesis and characterization of three assemblies acting as host–guest systems including their magnetic study. To this end, the ligands L1, L2 and L3 ligands have been used to form Cobalt(II) dinuclear helicates, capable of holding different anions in their cavities. Although in one case the intention was the encapsulation of BF4- and PF6-, it has been found that heteroleptic helicates have a strong template effect towards the encapsulation of SiF62, over which the charge 2- may be a key component in their high stability. Therefore, this opens a new line of research to understand better how template effect works in heteroleptic systems.