Facile interconversion of mesitylcopper into a CuMes–Cu2bis(amidinate) triangle and a tetracuprous Möbius strip.

A new flexible bis(amidine) ligand featuring two additional N-donor groups incorporates a defined [Cu^IMesCu₂^I]²⁺ fragment from mesitylcopper into a triangular cluster with a reactive organometallic coordination site. Subtle changes to the reaction protocol result in the formation of an intertwined tetracuprous arrangement that adopts the shape of a Möbius strip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]