Synthesis and Characterization of Hexametallic Molecular Hosts Featuring Large Cavity Volumes and Constrained Cavity Port Sizes

The synthesis and characterization of hexametallic host molecules is described. The new molecules utilize 2,2′-bipyrimidine to bridge rhenium(I) tricarbonyls at three points along the short edge of the cavity, and triply functional pyridine-based ligands (2,4,6-tripyridyl-1,3,5-triazine or 1,3,5-tris(4-ethynylpyridyl)benzene) as a top and bottom. Modeling has been done to determine the volumes of the cavities and the sizes of the entry ports for the host molecules.