Asymmetric addition of pyridine to 1,4-bis(ethynyl)bicyclo[2.2.2]octane: dissymmetrical rotator ligands illustrated in dpppPt(II) and [Re6Se8]2+ complexes and an amphidynamic hydrogen bonded framework solid.

A polar function like pyridine increases the polarity difference between mono- and disubstituted 1,4-bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)bicyclo[2.2.2]octane cores allowing for their ready separation by chromatography, affording two dissymmetrical ligands illustrated in metal-rotor hybrids like a corner-shaped mononuclear complex, an octahedral hexanuclear metal complex, and a framework solid with a rather slow rotator. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011