Supramolecular chemistry with chiral pyridine-type ligands

Chiral pyridine-type ligands are readily available in enantiomerically pure form from enantiopure natural products via a Krohnke reaction. The ease of synthesis allows numerous variations of the ligands which all display a pa rticular coordination behavior. By these means, it is possible to synthesiz e 'tunable' series of molecules. Thus, mononuclear, as well as self-assembl ed polynuclear species can be obtained in enantiopure form. With these liga nds, a significant step towards the systematic development of stereoselecti ve synthesis in coordination chemistry was achieved, leading to a class of compounds that hold interest for various kinds of applications.