Fluorine as a structure-directing element in organometallic fluorides: discrete molecules, supramolecular self-assembly and host–guest complexation†

Abstract

Although formally monovalent (in the classical sense) fluorine can behave as mono-, di-, tri- or tetra-connective and can be encrypted as a guest in host–guest complexes. The broad limits of valence bonds, spanning the range from below 90° to 180° (linearity) and a strong tendency to form bi-, tri- and even tetra-metallic bridges, allows the formation of cyclic and cage compounds of very different compositions and structures. The emerging field of organometallic fluorides is a promising area of research.