Self-assembly of Ag(I) helicates with new enantiopure 5,6-Chiragen type ligands

[Display omitted] Two enantiopure ligands with the same bis-didentate coordination units ((−)-5,6-pinenebipyridine) connected by different bridges (4,4’-biphenyl and 1,4 – naphthalene), self-assemble in reaction with Ag+ circular or polymeric monostranded helicates. •The self-assembly of circular/polymeric helicates with two ligands is presented.•Chirality transfer from the ligands to the final enantiopure helicate takes place.•In solution, complex equilibria between monostranded P helicates are revealed.•A polymeric P helix (5 Ag+and 5 ligands per helical pitch) is measured by X-ray.•Self-recognition between ligands, among complexation with Ag+, is demonstrated. Two new chiral bis-bidentate, C2-symmetrical ligands belonging to the Chiragen family have been synthesised and characterised. They are designed for polynuclear self-assemblies since the two (−)-5,6-pinenebipyridines units are connected by bridges whose length and rigidity avoids the coordination of the bipyridine moieties to the same metal centre. The ligand L1 with a 1,4-dimethylene naphthalene bridge leads, by complexation with Ag(I) cations, to a polymeric, single stranded helix. The helical pitch contains five metal centers, two consecutive metal centers being connected by a bis-bidentate, helically wrapped ligand, one up and the other down resulting in a coordination number four. The chirality (Λ) around each metal centre is controlled by the six asymmetric carbons of the ligands and the homochirality of the metal centers gives rise to a P orientation at the helix level. The 1H-NMR measurements of these species in solution indicate a temperature dependent behaviour pointing out possible equilibria between various [AgnLn]n+ fragments as confirmed by MS-spectroscopy. The ligand L2 with a 4,4′-dimethylene-1,1′-biphenyl bridge reacts with Ag(I) and lead to well resolved and temperature independent 1H-NMR spectra suggesting the formation of a circular helicate.