Optically active derivatives of terephthalic acid: synthesis and crystal structures

Abstract

New optically active derivatives of terephthalic acid, which are of interest as precursors of chiral metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), were synthesized starting from available dimethyl 2-aminoterephthalate, N-Boc-l-alanine, and N-Boc-l-proline. The crystal structures of three samples were determined by powder X-ray diffraction. In all three structures, the acid molecules exist as zwitterions.