Chiral recognition of hybrid metal oxide by peptides.

Resolution of gram quantities of a subtly chiral polyoxometalate (POM; the chirality originates from substitution of one metal in the nanosized framework) is possible by reaction with small peptides. Functionalizable acyl polyoxotungstate (TBA)(6)[alpha(1)-P(2)W(17)O(61){SnCH(2)CH(2)C(=O)}] (see picture) can be resolved by kinetic resolution. This approach paves the way for applications of chiral POMs ranging from asymmetric catalysis to their bioactivity.