The rigid tris-and bis (catecholamide) ligands H6 A, H4 B and H4 C form tetrahedral clusters of the type M4L4 and M4L6 through self-assembly reactions with tri-and tetravalent metal ions such as GaIII, FeIII, TiIV and SnIV. General design principles for the synthesis of such clusters are presented with an emphasis on geometric requirements and kinetic and thermodynamic considerations. The solution and solid-state characterization of these ...
