Destroy the inherent symmetry of vanadium-based inorganic cluster through chiral organic ligand: Synthesis and characterization of a polyoxovanadate-derived amino acid ester hybrid

Abstract

A hexavanadate-based inorganic–organic hybrid with chiral ligand, (Bu4N)2[V6O19{(OCH2)3CCH2OOCCH2CH2CONHCH(COOC(CH3)3)CH2CH(CH3)2}2] (V6-Leu), was successfully constructed by remote functionalization with chiral amino acid ester through convenient and mild organic reactions. The obtained inorganic–organic derivative was structurally confirmed by FT–IR, NMR, and ESI–MS. The crystal of such complex hybrid was fortunately obtained as well as tested by single crystal XRD. Owing to the steric influence from the chiral ligand, the symmetry of the parent structure was destroyed. In addition, hydrogen bonds were found in the crystal structure, and the donors as well as acceptors of the hydrogen bonds were just in the same molecule but different sides, which also arranged the hybrids into a fascinating chain-like polymer.