A Metal‐Free Helical Covalent Inorganic Polymer: Preparation, Crystal Structure and Optical Properties

Miaomiao Xue, Lei Zhang, Xiang Wang, Qiang Dong, Zengkui Zhu, Xin Wang, Qianfeng Gu, Fangyuan Kang, Xin‐Xiong Li*, Qichun Zhang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

22 Citations (Scopus)
13 Downloads (CityUHK Scholars)

Abstract

Helical morphologies are widely observed in nature, however, it is very challenging to prepare artificial helical polymers. Especially, precisely understanding the structure information of artificial metal-free helical covalent inorganic polymers via single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) analysis is rarely explored. Here, we successfully prepare a novel metal-free helical covalent inorganic polymer ({[Te(C6H5)2] [PO3(OH)]}n, named CityU-10) by introducing angular anions (HOPO32−) into traditional tellurium-oxygen chains. The dynamic reversibility of the reaction is realized through the introduction of organic tellurium precursor and the slow hydrolysis of polyphosphoric acid. High-quality and large-size single crystals of CityU-10 have been successfully characterized via SCXRD, where the same-handed helical inorganic polymer chains form a pseudo-two-dimensional layer via multiple hydrogen-bonding interactions. The left-handed layers and right-handed layers alternatively stack together through weak hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional supramolecular structure. The single crystals of CityU-10 are found to display promising optical properties with a large birefringence. Our results would offer new guidelines for designing and preparing new crystalline covalent polymers through tellurium-based chemistry. © 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere202315338
JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition
Volume63
Issue number6
Online published21 Dec 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Feb 2024

Research Keywords

  • Helix
  • Inorganic Covalent Polymers
  • Metal-Free Structures
  • Optical Properties
  • Single Crystals

Publisher's Copyright Statement

  • COPYRIGHT TERMS OF DEPOSITED POSTPRINT FILE: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Xue, M., Zhang, L., Wang, X., Dong, Q., Zhu, Z., Wang, X., Gu, Q., Kang, F., Li, XX., & Zhang, Q. (2024). A Metal‐Free Helical Covalent Inorganic Polymer: Preparation, Crystal Structure and Optical Properties. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 63(6), Article e202315338, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202315338.
  • This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A Metal‐Free Helical Covalent Inorganic Polymer: Preparation, Crystal Structure and Optical Properties'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this