Helical Metallohost−Guest Complexes via Site-Selective Transmetalation of Homotrinuclear Complexes

We have designed a new type of bis(N2O2) chelate ligand that affords a C-shaped O6 site on
the metalation of the N2O2 sites. UV−vis and 1H NMR titration clearly showed that the complexation between
H4L and zinc(II) acetate affords 1:3 complex [LZn3]2+ via a highly cooperative process. Although the O6-recognition site of the dinuclear metallohost [LZn2] is filled with the additional Zn2+, the O6 site can bind a
guest ion with concomitant release of the initially bound Zn2+. The novel recognition process “guest
exchange” took place quantitatively when rare earth metals were used as a guest. In the case of alkaline
earth metals, selectivity of Ca2+ > Sr2+ > Ba2+ ≫ Mg2+ was observed. On the other hand, the transmetalation
did not take place at all when alkali metals were used for the guest. Accordingly, the trinuclear complex
[LZn3]2+ is excellent in discriminating charge of the guest ions. The metallohost−guest complexes thus
obtained have a helical structure, and the radius d and winding angle θ of the helix depend on the size of
the guest. The La3+ complex has the smallest θ (288°), and the Sc3+ complex has the largest θ (345°).
Because the radius and winding angles of helices are tunable by changing the guest ion, the helical
metallohost−guest complexes are regarded as a molecular spring or coil. Consequently, site-specific metal
exchange of trinuclear complex [LZn3]2+ described here will be utilized for highly selective ion recognition,
site-selective synthesis of (3d)2(4f) trimetallic complexes, and construction of “tunable” metallohelicenes.