Post-synthetic modifications of cadmium-based knots and links

Abstract

Three topologically non-trivial cadmium(II)-based complexes—Cd-[2]C, Cd-TK and Cd-SL—were simultaneously self-assembled in a dynamic library, individually isolated and fully characterized using solid-state, gas-phase and solution-phase techniques. Post-synthetic modifications, including reduction and transmetalation, were subsequently achieved. Imine bond reduction followed by demetallation led to the isolation of the corresponding organic molecules [2]C, TK and SL. Transmetalation of Cd-TK and Cd-SL with the zinc(II) cation resulted in isolation of the corresponding zinc(II)-containing complexes Zn-TK and Zn-SL.