NMR spectroscopy in coordination supramolecular chemistry: A unique and powerful methodology

Metal-mediated self-assembly is emerging as a very important strategy for the synthesis of supramolecular species. Still, a major challenge in coordination supramolecular chemistry continues to be the characterization of the self-assembled complexes and the investigation of their dynamic behaviour in solution. In this context, NMR spectroscopy appears as a unique and powerful methodology. This practical-oriented review describes the rich variety of NMR techniques which are applied to the investigation of different aspects of the structure and behaviour of supramolecular complexes. “Classic” 1D NMR spectra reflect characteristic chemical shifts due to metal–ligand interactions or encapsulation phenomena, as well as symmetry and chiral properties of host–guest assemblies. Mainstream 1H, 13C, 19F and 31P spectra are eventually complemented by © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Abbreviations: bpy, 2,2′-bipyridyl; cod, 1,4-cyclooctadiene; dppdd, 1,12-bis(diphenylphosphino)dodecane; dppp, 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane; en, ethylenediamine; OTf, triflate (trifluoromethanesulfonate); qtpy, 2,2′:4,4′ ′:4′,4′ ′ ′-quaterpyridyl; tppb, 1,2,4,5-tetrakis-(diphenylphosphino)benzene; PTA, 1,3,5-triaza7-phosphaadamantane. ∗ Corresponding authors. Fax: +34 968364143. E-mail addresses: [email protected] (A. Pastor), [email protected] (E. Martı́nez-Viviente). 1 Fax: +34 968364149. 0010-8545/$ – see front matter © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.ccr.2008.01.025