Homohelical Self-Assembly of Trimer of α-Cyclodextrin and Octamolybdate

The ability to conceptually mimic biomolecules to construct emergency-functional homospiral aggregates remains a long-standing challenge. Herein, we report artificial homohelical assembly by blending inorganic polyoxometalates (POMs) and organic cyclodextrin molecules. The chiral double-helical chains have been achieved by a left-hand arrangement of trimer-trimer. The trimer is formed by three {Mo-8}@alpha-CD inclusive complexes as a Whittaker-style paddle wheel. During the process of assembly, chiral transfer and amplification from molecule to superstructure were observed. The enantioselective adsorption of the homohelical aggregate toward (R/S)-1,1 '-binaphthyl-2,2 '-diamine was further demonstrated. The interaction of {Mo-8} and alpha-CD in solution was investigated. This work opens a wide scope for the design of a homohelix, enriching POM-based inorganic-organic materials.

Automated summary

This study presents the construction of artificial homohelical assemblies by blending inorganic polyoxometalates (POMs) and organic cyclodextrin molecules. The chiral double-helical chains were achieved through a left-hand arrangement, and the process of assembly showed chiral transfer and amplification from molecule to superstructure. The capability of the homohelical aggregate for enantioselective adsorption was demonstrated, enriching the design of POM-based inorganic-organic materials.