Supramolecular Chemistry with Chiral Pyridine-Type Ligands

Chiral pyridine-type ligands are readily available in enantiomerically pure form from enantiopure natural products via a Kröhnke reaction. The ease of synthesis allows numerous variations of the ligands which all display a particular coordination behavior. By these means, it is possible to synthesize 'tunable' series of molecules. Thus, mononuclear, as well as self-assembled polynuclear species can be obtained in enantiopure form. With these ligands, a significant step towards the systematic development of stereoselective synthesis in coordination chemistry was achieved, leading to a class of compounds that hold interest for various kinds of applications.