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Chiral expression from molecular to macroscopic level via pH modulation in terbium coordination polymers.
Jian Huang1, Hong-Ming Ding2,3, Yan Xu1
1State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
Researchers created homochiral coordination polymers (CPs) in helical and crystalline forms. This work bridges molecular and macroscopic chirality, offering insights into bio-related self-assembly processes.
Area of Science:
- Coordination Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Chirality is prevalent in biological systems, from molecular to macroscopic scales.
- Realizing chiral expression in coordination polymers (CPs) remains a challenge.
- Homochiral CPs can link molecular chirality to macroscopic forms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the formation of homochiral helices and crystalline coordination polymers.
- To investigate the relationship between molecular chirality and macroscopic morphology.
- To understand the self-assembly mechanisms of chiral coordination polymers.
Main Methods:
- Hydrothermal synthesis of coordination polymers using chiral ligands.
- Characterization of crystalline and helical structures.
- Molecular simulations to elucidate self-assembly pathways.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized homochiral helices ([Tb(R- or S-pempH)3]∙2H2O) and crystalline counterparts.
- Demonstrated chiral transcription from molecular building blocks to macroscopic structures.
- Proposed a hierarchical self-assembly route involving twisted packing.
Conclusions:
- Hierarchical self-assembly driven by geometric incompatibility leads to helical coordination polymer formation.
- The study provides a model for understanding chiral expression in bio-related systems.
- Chiral coordination polymers offer a platform for exploring structure-property relationships.
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