Orientational self-sorting: formation of structurally defined Pd4L8 and Pd6L12 cages from low-symmetry dipyridyl ligands.

Tetra- and hexanuclear coordination cages were obtained in reactions of [Pd(CH3CN)4](BF4)2 with low-symmetry dipyridyl ligands. In both cases, only one structurally defined complex was formed out of a vast pool of potential isomers.