Synthesis and characterization of two isomeric, self-assembled arsenic-thiolate macrocycles.

The use of labile As-S bond formation in the self-assembly of discrete supramolecular structures is extended. Macrocyclic structures of chemical formula As2L2Cl2 (H2L=alpha,alpha'-dimercapto-p-xylene) were prepared and characterized. Diastereomeric syn and anti isomers of these macrocycles were selectively crystallized and characterized in the solid state using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both the syn and anti macrocycles show close contacts between the arsenic(III) ions and the aromatic carbons, consistent with intramolecular arsenic-pi interactions. The dynamic behavior of the isomers in solution is also investigated. anti-As2L2Cl2.AsCl3 crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2(1)/c (No. 14) with a=10.6194(5) A, b=16.7780(9) A, c=8.5725(4) A, beta=100.6830(10) degrees, and Z=2. syn-As2L2Cl2 crystallizes in orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62) with a=10.8881(8) A, b=19.3511(14) A, c=9.9524(7) A, and Z=4.