Triptycene based organometallic complexes: a new class of acceptor synthons for supramolecular ensembles

Preparation and characterization of two new triptycene based polytopic Pt(II) organometallic complexes are being reported. These complexes have three trans-bromobis(trialkylphosphine)platinum(1) units directly attached to the central triptycene unit. These organoplatinum complexes were converted to the corresponding nitrate salts for subsequent use in self-assembly reactions. Characterization of these organometallic triptycene complexes by multinuclear NMR, FTIR, mass spectrometry and elemental analyses is described. The molecular structure of one of the organoplatinum triptycene tripods was determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The potential utility of these organometallic tritopic acceptors as building blocks in the construction of metallasupramolecular cages containing the triptycene motif is explored. Additionally, for the first time, 3,3'-bipyridine has been used as a flexible donor tecton for self-assembly of discrete and finite metallacages using triptycene based tritopic organometallic acceptor units. Triptycene motif containing supramolecules were characterized by multinuclear NMR (including H-1 DOSY), mass spectrometry and elemental analyses. Geometry of each supramolecular framework was optimized by employing the PM6 semiempirical molecular orbital method to predict its shape and size.