A tetrahedral coordination cage based on p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene and 5-sulfoisophthalic acid

A new cobalt–thiacalix[4]arene compound [(CH3)4N]2 {[Co4Cl(TC4A)(CH3OH)]4(SIP)4(HCOO)2} (CIAC-111) was synthesized by the solvothermal reaction of CoCl2·6H2O, p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (H4TC4A) and 5-sulfoisophthalic acid sodium salt (NaH2SIP). It is featured with a tetrahedral coordination cage with four Co4-TC4A shuttlecock-like subunits as the vertices and four SIP molecules as the tripod linkers located on the triangular faces. The structure and coordination mode of SIP play a crucial role in the formation of such a cage. The magnetic property of this compound was examined.