Cooperative self-assembly of chiral L-malate and achiral succinate in the formation of a three-dimensional homochiral framework.

Chiral l-malate and achiral succinate ligands have been integrated into a three-dimensional homochiral framework by reacting transition-metal cations (Mn (2+)), l-(-)-malic acid ( l-H 2ma), succinic acid (H 2suc), and 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bipy). Chiral l-malate bonds to Mn (2+) without using the -OH group, which is very unusual for malate. Such unusual bonding of chiral malate results from the cooperative effect of chiral malate and achiral succinate ligands during the self-assembly process, further assisted by the third complementary bipyridine ligand.