Ligand Self-Recognition in the Self-Assembly of a [{Cu(L)}2]2+ Complex: The Role of Chirality

The chirality alone of a conformationally restricted, bifunctional ligand (L) is the basis for the self-recognition process schematically represented below. A racemic mixture of these ligands reacts with Cu+ ions quantitatively to generate a racemic mixture of a [(CuL)2]2+ homochiral complex (represented by cubes), where each complex contains ligands with identical configurations.