Citation: Ya-Liang Lai, Juan Su, Xian-Chao Zhou, Yong-Liang Huang, Xue-Zhi Wang, Shuixing Zhang, Xiao-Ping Zhou. Electrostatic-driven formation of homochiral tetrahedral M^Ⅱ₄L₄ cages by using chiral anionic inducers[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(12): 111872. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111872 shu

Electrostatic-driven formation of homochiral tetrahedral M^Ⅱ₄L₄ cages by using chiral anionic inducers

Ya-Liang Lai ^{a, b} ,
Juan Su ^b ,
Xian-Chao Zhou ^b ,
Yong-Liang Huang ^d ,
Xue-Zhi Wang ^{c, *,} ,
Shuixing Zhang ^{a, c, *,} ,
Xiao-Ping Zhou ^{b, *,}

a.
Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
b.
College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Coordination Chemistry, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
c.
Department of Ultrasound, Institute of Ultrasound in Musculoskeletal Sports Medicine, The Affiliated Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510317, China
d.
Department of Chemistry, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China

xuezhiwang316@126.com

shui7515@126.com

zhouxp@jnu.edu.cn

Received Date: 17 July 2025
Revised Date: 14 September 2025
Accepted Date: 21 September 2025
Available Online: 22 September 2025

Figures(5)

Chiral induction is an effective strategy for synthesizing chiral metal-organic cages (CMOCs), where understanding chiral transfer mechanisms is critical for advancing their assembly and applications. Herein, we report an electrostatic-driven enantioselective resolution of racemic tetrahedral M^Ⅱ₄L₄ cages into enantiomerically excess products. Two cages (1-Fe and 1-Zn) were synthesized via coordination-driven self-assembly of guanidinium-based ligands with Fe²⁺/Zn²⁺ ions. Protonated guanidinium units impart positive charges, enabling strong electrostatic interactions with anions. Using chiral BINOL-derived phosphates as anionic inducers, we achieved efficient resolution of racemic cages. Mechanistic studies confirm electrostatic interactions as the dominant driver of chiral transfer, while anions served as a chiral origin to promote stereoselective assembly. This work establishes a foundation for precise stereochemical control in supramolecular systems and offers new insights into designing functional chiral materials.
- Supramolecular chemistry,
- Metal-organic cage,
- Chiral induction,
- Chiral counter anions,
- Electrostatic interaction
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Electrostatic-driven formation of homochiral tetrahedral MⅡ4L4 cages by using chiral anionic inducers

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Electrostatic-driven formation of homochiral tetrahedral M^Ⅱ₄L₄ cages by using chiral anionic inducers