Seven-coordinate iron complex as a ditopic receptor for lithium salts: study of host-guest interactions and substitution behavior.

Interactions between the seven-coordinate tweezerlike [Fe(dapsox)(H2O)2]ClO4 complex (H2dapsox = 2,6-diacetylpyridine-bis(semioxamazide)) with different lithium salts (LiOTf, LiClO4, LiBF4, and LiPF6) in CH3CN have been investigated by electrochemical, spectrophotometric, 7Li and 19F NMR, kinetic, and DFT methods. It has been demonstrated that this complex acts as ditopic receptor, showing spectral and electrochemical ion-pair-sensing capability for different lithium salts. In general, the apparent binding constants for lithium salts increase in the order LiOTf < LiClO4 < LiBF4.