1D and 2D homochiral metal-organic frameworks built from a new chiral elongated binaphthalene-derived bipyridine

Six homochiral coordination polymers 1-6 based on a new enantiopure elongated (S)-2,2'-diethoxy-1,1'-binaphthyl-6,6'-bis(4-vinylpyridine) ligand (L) and divalent metal (Zn, Cd, and Ni) connecting points were synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. These new homochiral coordination polymers adopt two distinct framework structures: a one-dimensional infinite chain structure with bridging L ligands occupying the axial positions of the metal centers and a two-dimensional rhombic grid structure formed by linking octahedrally coordinated metal centers with four pyridyl groups of bridging L ligands in the equatorial positions. The structures of these coordination polymers are sensitive to the nature of the anions as well as the solvents from which the coordination polymer crystals were grown. Powder X-ray diffraction studies showed that the two-dimensional chiral rhombic grids exhibited porosity, which could potentially find applications in enantioselective separations and catalysis.