Enantiopure Alleno-Acetylenic Helicages Containing Multiple Binding Sites

Enantiopure alleno-acetylenic ligands, containing two chiral allene moieties, assemble diastereoselectively with zinc(II) ions to form trinuclear triple-stranded helicates, featuring two internal cavity binding sites ("helicages"). The addition of cycloalkanes or heteroalicycles results in inclusion complex formation with two guest molecules bound in one helicate. While no positive allosteric effects were observed, the chiroptical responses increased strongly upon complexation, with guest-induced circular dichroism (ICD) signals reaching up to ΔΔϵ=205 m^-1  cm^-1 . The highest binding affinity was observed for six-membered 1,4-dichalcogens, with binding constants (K₁ ) of up to 2400 m^-1 for 1,4-oxathiane in CD₃ OD. The X-ray co-crystal structure of 1,4-dioxane bound to a dinuclear triple-stranded helicate confirmed the previously predicted guest orientation inside the helicage, with the two oxygen atoms facing towards the electropositive zinc(II) metal centers.