Stepwise Assembly of Pd₆(RuL₃)₈ Nanoscale Rhombododecahedral Metal–Organic Cages via Metalloligand Strategy for Guest Trapping and Protection

Stepwise synthesis of nanosized Pd−Ru hetero­nuclear metal–organic cages from predesigned redox- and photo-active Ru­(II)-metallo­ligand and naked Pd­(II) ion is described. The resulting cage shows rhombododecahedral shape and contains a 5350 Å3 cavity and 12 open windows, facilitating effective trapping of both polar and nonpolar guest molecules. Protection of photosensitive guests against UV radiation is studied.