Metal-directed self-assembly of terphenyl based dithiocarbamate ligands

The synthesis of dithiocarbamate ligands based on an m-terphenyl scaffold i s reported. These ligands self-assemble with zinc(II), nickel(II) and coppe r(II) ions to a ord neutral, dinuclear metallomacrocycles in varied yields. The assemblies have been characterised by a range of techniques, including H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, mass spectr ometry and cyclic voltammetry. Intramolecular coordination of bipyridyl gue sts has been investigated with the zinc(II) containing macrocycles. NMR spe ctroscopy and FAB mass spectrometry demonstrate the formation of 1:1 inclus ion complexes with 4,4'-bipyridyl.