Metal complexes of polyaza and polyoxaaza Schiff base macrocycles

This review describes the development on the coordination chemistry of multidentate Schiff base macrocycles with an emphasis on the author's contribution to the field. Particular attention is paid to effectiveness of metal ions - especially lanthanides - in supramolecular self-assembly of the components leading to organized structures. The article is focused on the design, template synthesis and characterization of the Schiff base mono- and homo- or heterodinuclear polyaza and polyoxaaza macrocyclic complexes. The factors which prove to be of much importance in directing the synthetic pathway in these systems are discussed. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.