Labile Interactions and Inert Entities in Supramolecular Chemistry—the Identification of Recognition Mechanisms for Macrobicyclic Amine Complexes

Abstract

Consideration of crystallographic data concerning metal complexes of hexa-azabicyclo[6.6.6]icosane, “sarcophagine”, and various derivatives provides evidence for the importance of hydrogen-bonding, labile metal ion coordination, aliphatic- and aromatic-group interactions in determining the lattice structures. These “cage amine” complexes not only involve different metal ions, almost all rendered kinetically inert towards substitution by their complexation, but they can be obtained in conformationally locked forms and with a wide variety of substituents, so that they have considerable potential as supramolecular tectons.

Keywords:

• Macrobicyclic amine complexes
• Chirality
• Conformations
• Labile interactions
• Supramolecular synthesis