Conformation of N,N '-bis(3-pyridylformyl)piperazine and spontaneous formation of a saturated quadruple stranded metallohelicate

Ligand N,N'-bis(3-pyridylformyl)piperazine, L-1, exists in syn and anti conformers in solution state almost in equal proportion. Formation of a saturated quadruple stranded helicate is observed when Pd(NO3)(2) is reacted with ligand L-1. In the complexed form the ligand exists in a flattened boat conformation with anti form.