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Updated: May 23, 2026

Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework
Published on: April 9, 2018
Synthesis and structures of cuprous triptycylthiolate complexes.
Skylar J Ferrara1, Joel T Mague, James P Donahue
1Department of Chemistry, Tulane University, 6400 Freret Street, New Orleans 70118-5698, USA.
This study synthesizes 1-(thioacetyl)triptycene and its protected form, 1-(thiolato)triptycene. Copper(I) complexes with this ligand were synthesized and characterized, revealing unique structural features and a novel hexameric copper-thiolate structure.
Area of Science:
- Organometallic Chemistry
- Coordination Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Triptycene derivatives are valuable ligands in coordination chemistry due to their unique steric and electronic properties.
- Thiolate ligands offer diverse coordination modes and reactivity in metal complexes.
- Copper(I) complexes are relevant in catalysis and materials science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel copper(I) complexes featuring the 1-(thiolato)triptycene ligand.
- To investigate the structural and electronic properties of these complexes.
- To explore the reactivity of copper(I) thiolates with bulky ligands.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of 1-(thioacetyl)triptycene and tert-butyl 1-triptycenyl sulfide.
- Preparation of copper(I) complexes via chloride displacement reactions.
- Structural characterization using X-ray crystallography.
- Spectroscopic analysis including mass spectrometry.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of 1-(thioacetyl)triptycene and its protected form.
- Formation of two-coordinate copper(I) complexes: [Bu(4)N][Cu(STrip)(2)] and [(Cu(IMes)(STrip)].
- Structural elucidation of ligand precursors and copper complexes, revealing unique conformations and bonding.
- Discovery of an unprecedented cyclic hexameric copper-thiolate structure with a central bromide ion.
Conclusions:
- The 1-(thiolato)triptycene ligand can be readily incorporated into copper(I) complexes.
- The steric bulk of the triptycene moiety influences the coordination geometry and conformation of the copper complexes.
- The study highlights the potential for forming novel supramolecular structures with copper thiolates.
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