Spontaneous Resolution of Racemic Camphorates in the Formation of Three-Dimensional Metal−Organic Frameworks.

Reported here is a rare example of enantioselective processes between organic racemic ligands (dl-camphorates) with in situ formed chiral metal complexes. Such enantioselectivity leads to a double spontaneous resolution of two pairs of distinctly different racemates [the ΛΔ-Zn(Htea) units and the dl-camphorate ligands] into two chiral three-dimensional frameworks containing only one enantiommeric form from each racemate. This work demonstrates unique enantioselectivity in the self-assembly of metal−organic frameworks containing multiple chiral features, which points to a new avenue for the preparation of chiral framework materials and for the resolution of racemates. This work reports an interesting example that shows that multiple chiral features in metal−organic framework (MOF) building blocks can interact with each other to produce new structural and chiral phenomena. Specifically, organic racemic ligands and in situ formed chiral metal complexes undergo enantioselective recognition, leading to double spontaneous resolution of both organic dl-racemates and ΔΛ-complexes during the self-assembly of three-dimensional MOFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]