Synthesis of Axially Chiral 4,4′‐Bipyridines and Their Remarkably Selective Self‐Assembly into Chiral Metallo‐Supramolecular Squares

A preferred choice: Prochiral 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl-4,4′-bipyridine can be converted into two types of axially chiral 4,4′-bipyridine compounds, separable into enantiomers by chiral HPLC. The obtained enantiopure bipyridines were sufficiently stable in solution to be used in the self-assembly of chiral metallo-supramolecular squares, which reveal a remarkable preference for one of ten possible structures (shown here). Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2111/2008/z800113_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.