A Family of Chiral Metal-Organic Frameworks

Chiral metal–organic frameworks with a three‐dimensional network structure and wide‐open pores (>30 Å) were obtained by using chiral trifunctional linkers and multinuclear zinc clusters. The linkers, H3ChirBTB‐n, consist of a 4,4′,4′′‐benzene‐1,3,5‐triyltribenzoate (BTB) backbone decorated with chiral oxazolidinone substituents. The size and polarity of these substituents determines the network topology formed under solvothermal synthesis conditions. The resulting chiral MOFs adsorb even large molecules from solution. Moreover, they are highly active Lewis acid catalysts in the Mukaiyama aldol reaction. Due to their chiral functionalization, they show significant levels of enantioselectivity, thereby proving the validity of the modular design concept employed. Porous chiral catalysts: A group of chiral trifunctional linkers, namely, H3ChirBTB‐n (BTB=4,4′,4′′‐benzene‐1,3,5‐triyltribenzoate), has been established by the introduction of chiral oxazolidinones into the BTB backbone. They were successfully integrated into metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) to form two different types of highly porous MOF structures. The obtained materials are active chiral Lewis acid catalysts for the asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol reaction (see scheme).