Redox active [Pd₂L₄]⁴⁺ cages constructed from rotationally flexible 1,1′-disubstituted ferrocene ligands

Two new ferrocene-containing [Pd2(LFc)4]4+(X−)4 (where X− = BF4− or SbF6−) self-assembled cages were synthesised from the known, rotationally flexible, 1,1′-bis(3-pyridylethynyl)ferrocene ligand (LFc). The cages were shown to bind neutral and anionic guest molecules and displayed reversible redox activity.