Formation of Tetranuclear Chelate(4‐) Ions of Divalent Metals (Mn, Co, Ni) with Idealized <i>T</i> Symmetry by Spontaneous Self‐assembly

Abstract

“Adamantoid” metal chelate complexes 1 can be obtained as ammonium salts by spontaneous self-assembly from malonic esters, MeLi/MCI2, oxalyl chloride, and NH4Cl. The yields of this one-pot synthesis lie between 80 and 87%. M signifies Mn, Co, Ni; the known Mg compound is even accessible in 90% yield via this route. The M-cores are linked by chelate anions 2, which are formally formed by template coupling of malonic ester and oxalyl chloride.