Structured Assembly of Heterometallic Arrays

A range of heterometallic cage complexes can be prepared by step-wise metallation reactions of monolithiated primary amines and phosphines ([REHLi](n); E= N, P) with various Group 13, 14 and 15 metal reagents. The p block imido and phosphinidine anions present in these species are novel ligand systems to main group and transition metals. This simple synthetic approach thereby provides a basis for structured assembly of a range of heterometallic cage and ring compounds.