Chirality control of a Cu(I)center dot(phenanthroline)(2) complex by a sugar-boronic acid interaction. A preliminary step toward the total chain helicity control by a chain-end sugar-binding

Compounds 1a and 1b which have a 1,10-phenanthroline moiety, were synthesiz ed in order to form a helical structure in the presence of Cu(I), and a bor onic acid moiety with which to bind a saccharide at the chain end. When sac charides were added, the Cu(I) complexes (as 1a(2). Cu(I) and 1b(2). Cu(I)) gave the CD-active species reflecting the absolute configurational structu re of saccharides. Thus, the P versus M helicity of the complexes can be co ntrolled by the boronic acid-saccharide interaction. The results show that the terminal boronic acid group is useful to create the chiral helical stru cture and the total helicity is governed by the chirality of the boronic ac id-bound saccharide.