The synthesis of new 60° organometallic subunits and self-assembly of three-dimensional M₃L₂ trigonal-bipyramidal cages

(Figure Presented) By employing the coupling reaction of trans-PtI ₂(Et₃)₂ with C-H bonds in alkynes as the key step, two new 60° organometallic subunits with different size from 3,6-dibromophenanthrene were prepared in reasonable yields. The X-ray structures of both di-Pt(II) diiodide complexes showed that they were indeed suitable candidates for 60° building units. By utilizing these novel linkers as ditopic acceptor subunits, three M₃L₂ trigonal-bipyramidal (TBP) cages were formed. All three TBP cages were characterized with multinuclear NMR and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) along with element analysis.