Assembly and autochirogenesis of a chiral inorganic polythioanion Mobius strip via symmetry breaking

Zang, H., Miras, H.N. , Yan, J., Long, D.L. and Cronin, L. (2012) Assembly and autochirogenesis of a chiral inorganic polythioanion Mobius strip via symmetry breaking. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 134(28), pp. 11376-11379. (doi: 10.1021/ja304371j)

Abstract

Using Mo2S2O2(H2O)(6)](2+) and squarate dianion, we synthesized the thiometalate ring compounds (Mo2S2O2)(x)(OH)(y)(C4O4)(z)(Mo2O8)(o)(H2O)(p)](n-), where x,y,z,o,p,n] = 7,14,2,0,2,4] for 1, 6,8,2,2,4,8] for 2, and 4,6,1,1,0,4] for both 3a and 3b, which are chiral and nonchiral isomers, respectively. Not only do the four thiometalate clusters show decreasing symmetry at the molecular level across the series, but the incorporation of the ``addendum'' {Mo2O8}(o) unit also allows the thiometalate ring to twist. The reaction initially yields the chiral molecule 3a with a twisted ring, which undergoes spontaneous resolution upon crystallization; the reaction mixture later yields the intrinsically nonchiral isomer 3b with a nontwisted ring. In addition, the compounds are able to promote the electrocatalytic evolution of hydrogen.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Yan, Mr Jun and Moiras, Professor Haralampos and Long, Dr Deliang and Cronin, Professor Lee
• Authors: Zang, H., Miras, H.N., Yan, J., Long, D.L., and Cronin, L.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: Journal of the American Chemical Society
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• ISSN: 0002-7863
• ISSN (Online): 1520-5126
• Published Online: 03 July 2012