Hexagonal terpyridine--ruthenium and -iron macrocyclic complexes by stepwise and self-assembly procedures.

Methods for the self-assembly, as well as directed construction, of hexaruthenium metallomacrocycles employing bisterpyridine building blocks are described. Self-assembly is effected by a combination of equimolar mixtures of bismetalated and nonmetalated bis(terpyridinyl) monomers each possessing the requisite planar, 60 degrees, terpyridine-metal-terpyridine connectivity. Stepwise synthesis of the identical hexamer is also discussed and used to aid in verification of the self-assembled product. Preparation and analysis of the related FeII metallomacrocycle are detailed and its TEM image confirms the hexameric structure. Characterization of the metalated products includes cyclic voltammetry along with the routine analytical techniques.