Molecular tectonics: gas adsorption and chiral uptake of (l)- and (d)-tryptophan by homochiral porous coordination polymers

Abstract

Combinations of two enantiomerically pure organic tectons 1 and 3 with either Zn(II) or Cu(II) cations lead to the formation of four homochiral 3D networks among which two, 1-Cu and 3-Cu, are robust porous crystals displaying homochiral cavities and permanent microporosity. 3-Cu porous crystals capture 66% and 20% of L- and D-tryptophan, respectively, after 30 min of adsorption.