Exo- and endo-hedral interactions of counteranions with tetracationic Pd₂L₄ metallosupramolecular architectures

A series of [Pd₂L₄]⁴⁺(X⁻ )₄ metallosupramolecular architectures have been synthesised where X⁻  = , , OTf⁻ , OMs⁻  or OTs⁻  and L = 2,6-bis(pyridin-3-ylethynyl)pyridine. These systems have been characterised by NMR, IR and UV–vis spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and, in several cases, by X-ray crystallography. Using these solution- and solid-state methods, we have investigated the exohedral and endohedral interactions of various anions with these cationic assemblies.