Structure, Bonding, and Ligand Chemistry of Macrocyclic Seleno- and Telluroethers

The preparation and structures of macrocyclic seleno- and telluroethers, as well as their ligand chemistry toward main group elements and transition metals are reviewed. Only species containing unbranched saturated hydrocarbon spacers are being considered. Most selenoether and telluroether macrocycles show columnar stacking in the crystalline lattices leading to infinite cavities. Small molecules may be trapped in the cavities of the solid lattices. The formation of chalcogen bonds is an important feature in the intermolecular interactions. While selenoether macrocycles have been reported to act as ligands in complexes of many heavy p-block elements and transition metals, the corresponding information on related telluroether macrocycles is very sparse.