By simple ligand exchange of the cationic transition-metal complexes [(Cp*)M(acetone)3 ](OTf)2 (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl and M=Ir or Rh) with pillar[5]arene, mono- and polynuclear pillar[5]arenes, a new class of metalated host molecules, is prepared. Single-crystal X-ray analysis shows that the charged transition-metal cations are directly bound to the outer π-surface of aromatic rings of pillar[5]arene. One of the triflate anions is deeply embedded within the cavity of the trinuclear pillar[5]arenes, which is different to the host-guest behavior of most pillar[5]arenes. DFT calculation of the electrostatic potential revealed that the metalated pillar[5]arenes featured an electron-deficient cavity due to the presence of the electron-withdrawing transition metals, thus allowing encapsulation of electron-rich guests mainly driven by anion-π interactions.
Keywords: anion-π interaction; host-guest chemistry; macrocycles; metallization; pillar[n]arenes.
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