Discrete metallosupramolecular architectures with amino acids.

Amino acids provide a convenient, economical, and non-toxic route for the synthesis of chiral metallosupramolecular architectures, including coordination cages and metal–organic cages, metallocycles, and metallocatenanes. In this review, we collate recent works on supramolecular coordination complexes assembled with amino acid derivatives, while highlighting the role of the amino acid on the chirality, coordination chemistry, and supramolecular chemistry of these complexes. [Display omitted] • Amino acids are cheap but versatile sources of chirality in supramolecular systems. • Monodentate, bridging and chelating modes are possible with amino acid derivatives. • Amino acids have been used to assemble chiral metallocycles, catenanes and cages. • Often, amino acids are incorporated into ligands with amide, imide or imine groups. • Amino acids steer stereoselective self-assembly and provide hydrogen-bonding sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]