Fig. 2. Top – Simultaneous generation of complexes [Cu(4,5)2]+ and [Fe(2,3)2]2+ through the self-sorting of their initial reactants. Reaction conditions: 1 : 3 : 4 : 5 : Cu(BF4) : Fe(BF4)2 (2 : 2 : 2 : 2 : 1 : 1), CD3CN, 60 °C, 18 h. Bottom – Partial 1H NMR spectrum (400 MHz, CD3CN, 297 K) of the crude reaction mixture after 18 h at 60 °C, diagnostic signals of the complexes are colour coded, [Cu(4,5)2]+ in red, [Fe(2,3)2]2+ in purple, one of the diagnostic signals of the free aldehyde 3 is highlighted by a grey circle and one of the diagnostic signals of the free aldehyde 4 is highlighted by a green pentagon.
