Interlocked chiral nanotubes assembled from quintuple helices.

Homochiral helical chains were rationally synthesized from C2-symmetric 1,1-binaphthyl-6,6'-bipyridine ligands and linear metal-connecting points, Ni(acac)2. Five such homochiral helices associate in parallel to form nanotubes of 2 x 2 nm in dimensions which further intertwine to form periodically ordered, interlocked nanotubular architectures that possess nanometer-scale open channels and have high affinity for aromatic molecules. Chiral crown ethers have also been successfully incorporated into the walls of these nanotubes, which promises to lead to novel chiral zeolitic materials applicable in enantioselective processes.