Directional ligands in helicate selfassembly

Abstract

Abstract The new asymmetric ligand 4-methyl-4′-ethylthio-2,2′:6′,2″:6″,2‴-quaterpyridine (L) has been prepared and structurally characterised (triclinic, P 1, a = 9.114(1), b = 10.790(1), c = 10.954(1) Å, α = 78.565(6), β = 71.759(7), γ = 89.497(5) °, V = 1001.18(2) Å3, Z = 2, R w = 0.087); the helicates [Cu2L2]2+ are formed with a 2:3 preference for the less hindered isomer).