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Updated: Feb 26, 2026

Author Spotlight: Accelerating Discovery in Microporous Material Chemistry
Published on: October 6, 2023
Mutual stabilisation between MII4L6 tetrahedra and MIIX42- metallate guests
Imogen A Riddell1, Tanya K Ronson1, Jonathan R Nitschke1
1Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road , Cambridge , CB2 1EW , UK .
Abstract:
A complex host-guest equilibrium employing metal ions incorporated into both the host and guest is discussed. MIIX42- metallate guests are shown to provide a good size and shape match for encapsulation within the M4L6 tetrahedral capsules, facilitating the generation of previously unreported Zn4L6 complexes. Displacement of the initial, primary template anion (ZnBr42-) by a secondary template anion (ClO4-) is shown to result in the formation of a pentagonal-prismatic Zn10L15 structure that incorporates both Br- and ClO4-. Furthermore, the formation of heterometallic complexes provides direct evidence for metal exchange between the guest and host complex.
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