Insights into small molecule activation by multinuclear first-row transition metal cyclophanates.

The rational design of trimetallic transition metal clusters supported by a trinucleating cyclophane ligand, L(3-), and the reactivities of these complexes with dinitrogen and carbon dioxide are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the differences in the observed reactivity between these trimetallic cyclophane complexes and that of the mono- and dinuclear transition metal compounds.