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CrystEngComm

A monthly journal at the forefront of crystal engineering.




Paper

CrystEngComm, 2005, 7, 337 - 341, DOI: 10.1039/b503583j


Homochiral 1D-helical metal–organic frameworks from achiral components. Formation of chiral channel via C–HCl interaction

V. Balamurugan and Rabindranath Mukherjee


Using an achiral ligand ,-bis(pyrazolyl)-m-xylene (L6) a coordination polymer [(L6)ZnIICl2] 1( 1a and 1b are two enantiomorphs) has been prepared and authenticated from their crystal structure determination. Structural analysis revealed that each Zn(II) centre is coordinated by two chloride ions and two pyrazole nitrogens from two different L6 ligands, giving pseudo-tetrahedral coordination environment around a metal ion. For these structures 1-D homochiral helical polymeric chain running along a crystallographic 21 axis in the b-direction is observed. In continuation of our recent activity on inorganic crystal engineering from the standpoint of metal–ligand coordination chemistry and C–HCl2MII hydrogen bonding, in this work we have investigated the potential of coordination modules present in 1a and 1b in bringing about generality of homochiral helix formation, strengthened by C–HCl interactions. Notably, in the case of 1 both right-(P)( 1a) and left-(M)( 1b) handed helices from two different crystals from same batch were identified. This work demonstrates a case of conglomeration (racemic mixture of chiral crystals). Helical channels are formed via noncovalent C–HCl hydrogen-bonding supported by interactions.

Graphical abstract image for this article  (ID: b503583j)