Luminescent, Enantiopure, Phenylatopyridine Iridium-Based Coordination Capsules

The first molecular capsule based on an [Ir­(ppy)2]+ unit (ppy = 2-phenylatopyridine) has been prepared.
Following
the development of a method to resolve rac-[(Ir­(ppy)2Cl)2] into its enantiopure forms, homochiral Ir6L4 octahedra where obtained with the tritopic 1,3,5-tricyanobenzene.
Solution studies and X-ray diffraction show that these capsules encapsulate
four of the six associated counteranions and that these can be exchanged
for other anionic guests. Initial photophysical studies have shown
that an ensemble of weakly coordinating ligands can lead to luminescence
not present in comparable mononuclear systems.