Homochiral metal–organic coordination networks from l-typtophan

Three homochiral metal–organic coordination networks [Co2(l-Trp)2(Py)6] · Py · (ClO4)2 (1), [Ni(l-Trp)(Py)3] · H2O · ClO4 (2) and [Co2(l-Trp)(INT)2(H2O)2(ClO4)] (3), all containing natural amino acid l-HTrp (l-typtophan), were hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. The compounds 1 and 2 crystallize in the orthorhombic space group C2221, with a = 10.731(2) Å, b = 19.709(4) Å, c = 27.365(6) Å and Z = 4 for 1 and a = 10.710(10) Å, b = 20.088(18) Å, c = 27.63(3) Å and Z = 8 for 2, respectively. The compound 3 has the monoclinic space group P21, with a = 8.1934(14) Å, b = 13.209(2) Å, c = 12.464(2) Å, β = 104.107(3)° and Z = 2. Both 1 and 2 consist of 1D helical chains. Compound 3 is composed of 2D networks, which further assemble into a 3D supramolecular structure via weak interlayer interactions. The optically pure amino acid l-HTrp plays an important role leading to homochiral structures reported here.

The graph represents the idea forming two kinds of structures described in the article. The homochirality of building blocks could form from l-HTrp and were controlled to assemble 1D or 2D structure through adding terminal ligand or rigid spacer. Top: the helical chain of compounds 1 and 2. Bottom: the 2D layer of compound 3.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide