A Zn-oxalate helix linked by a water helix: spontaneous chiral resolution of a Zn helical coordination polymer

Abstract

Two enantiomers of a helical coordination polymer [Zn(ox)(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O (1P and 1M) have been obtained from spontaneous chiral resolution. Structural analysis reveals that 1P comprises a right-handed helix with Zn in the Δ-configuration, while 1M comprises a left-handed helix with Zn in the Λ-configuration. Homochiral packing of the Zn-oxalate helix is accomplished with the aid of the water helix comprising coordinated and guest water. FTIR, vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), PXRD and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) have also been performed for the compound.