Template synthesis, structure and electropolymerization of the 2-thiopheneboron-capped cobalt(II) clathrochelates

2-thiopheneboron-capped macrobicyclic cobalt(II) tris-dioximates were synthesized by direct template condensation of the corresponding α-dioxime with 2-thiopheneboronic acid on a cobalt(II) ion as a matrix; they were characterized by spectral methods and X-ray crystallography. Further electropolymerization of their redox-active apical substituents afforded the polymeric clathrochelate electrocatalysts for hydrogen production from H+ ions.