Self-assembly of looped triple-stranded helicates

The reaction of the organogold metallaligand [(AuC Cbpyl)(2)(mu-Ph(2)P(CH(2))(4)PPh(2))] (bpyl = 2,2'-bipyridin-5-yl) with Fe(2+) or Zn(2+) ions gave helicates where the three ligand strands adopt a unique looped geometry.