Lattice-shaped metal complexes

Lattice-shaped metal complexes are supramolecular complex compounds made up of several metal atoms and coordinating chelate ligands that form a lattice-shaped structural motif. The structure is usually formed through thermodynamic self-organization . They have properties that make them interesting for information technology as future storage materials.

Ligands and metal ions

The ligands used are tetrahedral or octahedral coordinating chelate ligands which mostly use nitrogen atoms in pyridine-like ring systems as donor centers. The metal ions used are transition metal ions that coordinate octahedrally, such as Mn ²⁺ , Fe ²⁺ , Co ²⁺ , Ni ²⁺ , Cu ²⁺ , Zn ²⁺ or, less frequently, tetrahedral coordinators, such as Ag ⁺ or Cu ⁺ .

nomenclature

The nomenclature is based on [nxm] G, where n corresponds to the number of ligands above the metal ion level, m to the number below. If only one type of ligand is used, homoleptic lattices are created which have a square [nxn] structure. If different ligands are used, heteroleptic complexes are formed which, however, compete with the homoleptic ones. The number of metal ions is always n + m.

Properties and uses

The lattice complexes show pH- dependent optical absorption changes, electronic spin state changes and reversible redox states. In addition, macroscopic intermolecular self-organization to form 2D networks on surfaces is possible. The lattice-shaped metal complexes can thus theoretically be used for information storage and processing in the future.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} J.-M. Lehn et al., Angew. Chem., 2004, 116, pp. 3728-3747.
2. ↑ Ruben, Lehn, Chem. Commun., 2003, pp. 1338-1339.
3. ↑ Ruben et al., Chem. Eur. J., 2003, 9, pp. 291-299.
4. ↑ Müller, Lehn et al., Angew. Chem., 2005, 117, pp. 8109-8113.