Abstract

The self-assembly of Pd4L2 metallocylcic and Pd6L3 trigonal prismatic assemblies are described. The selction of one species over the other has been achieved by carfeul choice of ancilliary ligands, which switch the dynamics of the Pd-N bonds such that a highly unusual and distorted smaller assembly can be kinetically trapped en route to the more energetically favourable larger species. Both assemblies provide promise as easy to access multicavity reaction vessels.