This thesis describes a two-part study into the coordination and supramolecular chemistry of metal complexes with N-donor polydentate ligands. The first part of the work concerns the preparation of mononuclear luminescent metal complexes (IrIII and RuII) based on 2,2โ€™-bipyridine ligands functionalised with pendant glycan groups (glucose and galactose), to examine their interactions with glycan-binding proteins (lectins).

The second part of the work concerns the self-assembly of polynuclear metal complexes using a range of new ditopic and tritopic ligands based on 3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazole metal binding units and reports the structural characterisation of a wide range of new ligands and complex types. A summary is below:

Chapter 1 โ€“ This initial chapter provides a general overview of the principles of supramolecular chemistry, detailing the history of the topic from its beginning to the modern day.
Chapter 2 โ€“ This chapter gives a basic introduction into the area of glycan-lectin interactions and the importance of developing analytical sensors to measure them. Additionally, the synthesis and characterization of glycan-based ligands is displayed.
Chapter 3 โ€“ This chapter details the synthesis of a series of glycan functionalized transition metal complexes, utilizing the previously synthesised ligands and IrIII and RuII metal salts. Testing of these complexes in conjunction with suitable lectins is investigated.
Chapter 4 โ€“ This chapter returns to supramolecular cages and describes the external functionalization of a bis-bidentate naphthalene-based ligand to create a novel ligand LCN, which is used to create a new series of functionalized M8L12 cages.
Chapter 5 โ€“ In an attempt to create a new larger polyhedral coordination cage, a number of modified multitopic pyridine-pyrazole based ligands are created and used to synthesis a selection of novel coordination complexes.
Chapter 6 โ€“ This contains all the relevant synthetic procedures and characterisation data necessary for each individual compound and complex relevant to each chapter.