Self-assembled triple helicates with preferential helicity

The enantiomerically pure ligands LRR and LSS (N,N'-bis(-2,2'-bipyridyl-5-yl)carbonyl-(1S/R,2S/R)-(+/-)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane) have been synthesised by linking two 2,2'-bipyridine units by (R,R)- and (S,S)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane respectively. The crystal structure confirmed that the ligand had a twisted orientation between the two chelating units. The reaction of LRR and LSS with Fe(II), Co(III), Cd(II) and Zn(II) afforded dinuclear complexes confirmed by ES mass spectroscopy. CD spectroscopy indicated that the chiral diaminocyclohexane conferred helicity to the metal centre giving a dominant triple helicate diastereoisomer, with the LRR ligand giving a delta-configuration of each metal centre (P helicate) and the LSS ligand a lambda configuration (M helicate). 1H NMR spectroscopy confirmed a dominant major diastereoisomer with cadmium. The Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes however were observed to undergo rapid ligand dissociation in solution.

The isolation and secondary functionalisation of fac-tris2,2'-bipyridine complexes of ruthenium(II)

Fac-ruthenium(II) tris-(5-carboxy-2,2'-bipyridine) has been synthesised as a single geometric isomer for the first time, and proves to be a good "building-block" to introduce new functionality with retention of the isomeric integrity.