A new supramolecular bonding motif involving NH bonds of ammonium salts and macrocycles derived from platinum corners and butadiynediyl linkers.

CuI catalyzes reactions of cis -(R 2 C(CH 2 PPh 2 ) 2 )Pt(CCCCH) 2 and cis -(R 2 C(CH 2 PPh 2 ) 2 )PtI 2 in secondary amine solvents HNR' 2 to give the title adducts [(R 2 C(CH 2 PPh 2 ) 2 )Pt(CCCC)] 4 ·(H 2 NR' 2 + I - ) n (R/R'/ n = Me/Et/1, Me/((CH 2 CH 2 ) 2 O) 0.5 /3, Et/Et/1, Et/CH 2 CHCH 2 /1; 92-42%). Crystal structures of these or closely related species establish folded Pt 4 cores containing ammonium cation guests, with NH/ and NCH/CC hydrogen bonding. DOSY NMR experiments show that the host/guest relationship can be maintained in solution.