Synthesis and characterization of a 3D H-bonded supramolecular complex with chiral channels encapsulating 1D left-handed helical water chains

A chiral Cu-II dinuclear complex [Cu-2(L-shis)(2)](.)4H(2)O (H(2)shis = N-salicyhdenylhistidine) has been synthesized. The dinuclear units are assembled into a 3D hydrogen-bonded supramolecular structure with 1D chiral channels through hydrogen bonds between imidazole N-H groups and carboxylate oxygen atoms. 1D left-handed helical water chains in an AABB fashion, anchored through weak hydrogen-bonding interactions with the host complex, are embodied in the chiral channels. X-ray powder diffraction shows the porous structure is destroyed when the lattice water molecules are removed thermally from the channels. ((c) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005).