Catechol imine ligands: from helicates to supramolecular tetrahedra

Di- and tricatechol imines are easily accessible by condensation of appropriate amines with 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. Dicatechol imines can be used for the alkali metal template-directed self-assembly of dinuclear triple-stranded helicates or meso-helicates with high diastereoselectivity. Tricatechol imines lead in self-assembly processes to metallosupramolecular 4 : 4 tetrahedra with a huge internal cavity, which is able to encapsulate guest species. Hereby the special features of the imine unit can be used to control the outcome of the self-assembly process.