A homochiral magnet based on D3 symmetric [(NaO3)Co3] clusters: from spontaneous resolution to absolute chiral induction

Abstract

A pair of novel enantiomeric 3D magnetic complexes [NaCo₃(IA)₆](NO₃)·H₂O (1Δ and 1Λ) have been synthesized using an achiral ligand HIA via spontaneous resolution, which crystallize in the hexagonal crystal system with a chiral P6₃ space group, and diamagnetic sodium cations are located at the center of D₃ symmetric clusters. This kind of spontaneous resolution is uncontrollable and dependent on batches. By utilizing cheap enantiopure mandelic acid as a chiral inducing agent, they are driven to controllable homochiral crystallization of the desired enantiomorph, confirmed by circular dichroism spectra.