Reaction of Rh(I) and Zn(II) metal centers with a ligand containingsalicylaldiminato and thioether−phosphine moieties resulted in theformation of a tetranuclear heterobimetallic molecular square. Thedirectionality required to form these structures is imparted by boththe tetrahedral and square planar metal centers acting in concertwith one another.
The assembly of a tetranuclear heterobimetallic square containing Rh and Zn from a ligand containing two binding pockets specific for each metal is reported. The formation of the square is independent of the order in which the metals are added to the ligand. The flexible ligand is assembled into the resulting square by cooperative interactions throughout the molecule. Both the tetrahedral and square planar metals are required to impart the necessary directionality on the ligand.