1. A porous chiral material of formula [M(L)1.5(A)]+X- wherein M is a metal ion; L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand; A is the anion of mandelic acid or a related acid; and X- comprises a sulfonate or carboxylate anion; wherein A is an anion of formula (II): wherein the stereocentre may be (R) or (S) and R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, halo (especially chloro or bromo), alkyl (especially C1 to C4 alkyl), fluoroalkyl (especially C1 to C4 fluoroalkyl), sulfo, mercapto, alkoxy (especially C1 to C4 alkoxy), nitro, acyl and nitrilo.

2. A porous chiral material according to claim 1 wherein M is selected from cobalt, chromium, iron, nickel, manganese, calcium, magnesium, cadmium, copper and zinc.

3. A porous chiral material according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein L is selected from 4,4'-bipyridine, 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane and 4,4'-bipyridylacetylene.

4. A porous chiral material according to any preceding claim wherein A is the anion of (S)-(-)-mandelic acid.

5. A porous chiral material according to any preceding claim wherein X- is a triflate ion.

6. A method of preparing a porous chiral material of formula [M(L)1.5(A)]+X-, the method comprising admixing a salt of the metal with the ligand L and the acid A; wherein M is a metal ion; L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand; A is the anion of mandelic acid or a related acid; and X- comprises a sulfonate or carboxylate anion; wherein A is an anion of formula (II): wherein the stereocentre may be (R) or (S) and R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, halo (especially chloro or bromo), alkyl (especially C1 to C4 alkyl), fluoroalkyl (especially C1 to C4 fluoroalkyl), sulfo, mercapto, alkoxy (especially C1 to C4 alkoxy), nitro, acyl and nitrilo.

7. A material of formula [M(L)1.5(A)+]X-Gn wherein M is a metal ion; L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand; A is an anion of mandelic acid or a related acid; X- comprises a sulfonate or carboxylate anion; G is a guest molecule; and n is from 0 to 5; wherein A is an anion of formula (II): wherein the stereocentre may be (R) or (S) and R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, halo (especially chloro or bromo), alkyl (especially C1 to C4 alkyl), fluoroalkyl (especially C1 to C4 fluoroalkyl), sulfo, mercapto, alkoxy (especially C1 to C4 alkoxy), nitro, acyl and nitrilo.

8. A method of preparing a material of formula [M(L)1.5A]+X-G, the method comprising contacting a material of formula [M(L)1.5X]+A- with a composition comprising a guest molecule G; wherein M is a metal ion; L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand; A is the anion of mandelic acid or a related acid; and X- comprises a sulfonate or carboxylate anion; wherein A is an anion of formula (II): wherein the stereocentre may be (R) or (S) and R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, halo (especially chloro or bromo), alkyl (especially C1 to C4 alkyl), fluoroalkyl (especially C1 to C4 fluoroalkyl), sulfo, mercapto, alkoxy (especially C1 to C4 alkoxy), nitro, acyl and nitrilo.

9. The use of a porous chiral material of formula [M(L)1.5(A)]+X- as a crystalline sponge; wherein M is a metal ion; L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand; A is the anion of mandelic acid or a related acid; and X- comprises a sulfonate or carboxylate anion; wherein A is an anion of formula (II): wherein the stereocentre may be (R) or (S) and R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, halo (especially chloro or bromo), alkyl (especially C1 to C4 alkyl), fluoroalkyl (especially C1 to C4 fluoroalkyl), sulfo, mercapto, alkoxy (especially C1 to C4 alkoxy), nitro, acyl and nitrilo.

10. A method of separating enantiomers, the method comprising contacting a composition comprising a mixture of enantiomers with a material of any of claims 1 to 5.

11. A chromatography column comprising as a stationary phase a chiral porous material of formula [M(L)1.5(A)]+X- wherein M is a metal ion; L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand; A is an anion of mandelic acid or a related acid; and X- comprises a sulfonate or carboxylate anion; wherein A is an anion of formula (II): wherein the stereocentre may be (R) or (S) and R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, halo (especially chloro or bromo), alkyl (especially C1 to C4 alkyl), fluoroalkyl (especially C1 to C4 fluoroalkyl), sulfo, mercapto, alkoxy (especially C1 to C4 alkoxy), nitro, acyl and nitrilo.

12. A method of separating a mixture of enantiomers, the method comprising passing a composition comprising the mixture of enantiomers through a chromatography column comprising as a stationary phase a chiral porous material of formula [M(L)1.5(A)]+X- wherein M is a metal ion; L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand; A is an anion of mandelic acid or a related acid; and X- comprises a sulfonate or carboxylate anion; wherein A is an anion of formula (II): wherein the stereocentre may be (R) or (S) and R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, halo (especially chloro or bromo), alkyl (especially C1 to C4 alkyl), fluoroalkyl (especially C1 to C4 fluoroalkyl), sulfo, mercapto, alkoxy (especially C1 to C4 alkoxy), nitro, acyl and nitrilo.

13. A method of separating and identifying an enantiomer from a composition comprising a mixture of enantiomers, the method comprising: (a) passing a composition comprising the mixture of enantiomers through a chromatography column comprising as a stationary phase a chiral porous material of formula [M(L)1.5(A)]+X-; (b) contacting the composition comprising the mixture of enantiomers with a crystalline chiral porous material of formula [M(L)1.5(A)]+X- for a period sufficient for the composition to equilibrate; and (c) obtaining the crystal structure of the material obtained in step (b); wherein M is a metal ion; L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand; A is the anion of mandelic acid or a related acid; and X- comprises a sulfonate or carboxylate anion; wherein A is an anion of formula (II): wherein the stereocentre may be (R) or (S) and R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, halo (especially chloro or bromo), alkyl (especially C1 to C4 alkyl), fluoroalkyl (especially C1 to C4 fluoroalkyl), sulfo, mercapto, alkoxy (especially C1 to C4 alkoxy), nitro, acyl and nitrilo.

[0001]The present invention relates to novel chiral metal-organic materials and to methods and uses relating thereto.

[0002]In particular the invention relates to the use of such materials for the separation of enantiomers, the structural characterisation of molecules and as chiral crystalline sponges.

[0003]Enantiomerically pure materials are produced by nature but replicating this by synthethic routes remains challenging and many synthetic products contain a mixture of enantiomers. Due to their identical physical and chemical properties, the separation and characterisation of enantiomers is very difficult. Whilst crystallisation can afford enantiomerically pure compounds which can be characterised using X-ray diffraction techniques, this can be impossible when only very small amounts of a compound are available. This is often the case in the pharmaceutical field when developing new chemical entities, or when isolating compounds from natural products.

[0004]It can be possible to separate enantiomers using chiral chromatography in which a column is provided with a chiral stationary phase (CSP) that selectively binds more strongly to one enantiomer. However such columns are effective only for a limited range of analytes and an enantiopure reference standard is needed to identify each enantiomer.

[0005]In addition many current commercially available CSPs are very expensive to manufacture and degrade easily.

[0006]Structural determination using trace amounts of materials has been achieved previously using "crystalline sponges". These porous materials can accommodate guest molecules which can be examined by crystallisation of the host material. However, although chiral porous materials are known, they have not been shown to be able to function as crystalline sponges. Zhang et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137, 37, 12045-12049, describes the preparation of an enantiomeric pair of chiral metal-organic materials, [Co2(S-man)2(bpy)3](NO3)2' guest and [Co2 (R-man)2(bpy)3] (NO3)2' guest wherein man is mandelate and bpy is 4,4'-bipyridine.

[0007]It is an aim of the present invention to provide novel materials and improved methods for the separation and characterisation of enantiomers.

[0008]According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a porous chiral material of formula [M(L) 1.5 (A)] +< X -< wherein M is a metal ion; L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand; a is the anion of mandelic acid or a related acid; and X -< comprises a sulfonate or carboxylate anion; wherein A is an anion of formula (II): wherein the stereocentre may be (R) or (S) and R 1< , R 2< , R 3< , R 4< and R 5< is each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, halo (especially chloro or bromo), alkyl (especially C 1 to C 4 alkyl), fluoroalkyl (especially C 1 to C 4 fluoroalkyl), sulfo, mercapto, alkoxy (especially C 1 to C 4 alkoxy), nitro, acyl and nitrilo.

[0009]The porous chiral material suitably comprises a metal-organic material. The acid A is a component of the framework of the metal-organic material. X is suitably an anion that balances the charge of the metal-organic material.

[0010]M is a transition metal ion.

[0011]Preferably M is a metal ion selected from cobalt, chromium, iron, nickel, manganese, calcium, magnesium, cadmium, copper and zinc.

[0012]Suitably the metal is present in the +2 or +3 oxidation state. Preferably it is present in the +2 oxidation state. Preferably M is a transition metal. Suitably M is a first row transition metal.

[0013]Preferably M is selected from colbalt, cadmium, copper and zinc.

[0014]More preferably M is selected from nickel and colbalt.

[0015]Most preferably M is cobalt.

[0016]L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand. Suitably L is a nitrogen ligand comprising at least two donor atoms which are nitrogen atoms. Suitably the at least two nitrogen atoms each comprise a lone pair of electrons suitable for binding to a metal species. Therefore the nitrogen ligands are suitably two-connected nitrogen ligands. By "two-connected" we mean the nitrogen ligand is capable of binding to two different metal species (M) in the porous chiral material. In preferred embodiments the lone pairs of electrons on the two nitrogen atoms are in orbitals orientated away from each other at an angle capable of forming a lattice, for example an angle greater than 90°, for example an angle of approximately 120° or an angle of approximately 180°.

[0017]Suitably L is a two-connected nitrogen ligand. Preferred two-connected nitrogen ligands comprise at least one nitrogen-containing heterocycle. In some embodiments the two-connected nitrogen ligand may be a nitrogen-containing heterocycle comprising two nitrogen atoms each having a lone pair of electrons.

[0018]In some embodiments the two-connected nitrogen ligand comprises two nitrogen-containing heterocycles. The two nitrogen-containing heterocycles may be linked together by a bond. One such preferred two-connected nitrogen ligand is 4,4'-bipyridine.

[0019]Alternatively, the two nitrogen-containing heterocycles may be linked together by a spacer group, for example acetylene or ethylene. Some preferred two-connected nitrogen ligands include 4,4'-bipyridylacetylene and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane. Suitably L is a two-connected nitrogen ligand having the formula (L2N): wherein R 1< is an optionally substituted linker group.

[0020]R 1< may be a heteroatom, a group of connected heteroatoms or a group comprising heteroatoms. For example R 1< may be a -N=N- group.

[0021]R 1< may be a hydrocarbyl group. The hydrocarbyl group may comprise a cyclic group. The hydrocarbyl group may comprise an aromatic cyclic group. The hydrocarbyl group may comprise a heterocyclic group.

[0022]As used herein, the term "hydrocarbyl" is used in its ordinary sense, which is well-known to those skilled in the art. Specifically, it refers to a group having predominantly hydrocarbon character. Examples of hydrocarbyl groups include:

(i) hydrocarbon groups, that is, aliphatic (which may be saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, e.g., alkyl or alkenyl), alicyclic (e.g., cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl) substituents, and aromatic-, aliphatic-, and alicyclic-substituted aromatic substituents, as well as cyclic substituents wherein the ring is completed through another portion of the molecule (e.g., two substituents together form a ring); (ii) substituted hydrocarbon groups, that is, substituents containing non-hydrocarbon groups which, in the context of this invention, do not alter the predominantly hydrocarbon nature of the substituent (e.g., halo (especially chloro and fluoro), hydroxy, alkoxy, keto, acyl, cyano, mercapto, alkylmercapto, amino, alkylamino, nitro, nitroso, and sulphoxy); (iii) hetero substituents, that is, substituents which, while having a predominantly hydrocarbon character, in the context of this invention, contain other than carbon in a ring or chain otherwise composed of carbon atoms. Heteroatoms include sulphur, oxygen, nitrogen, and encompass substituents as pyridyl, furyl, thienyl and imidazolyl.

[0023]Suitable two-connected nitrogen ligands may be selected from 4,4'-bipyridylacetylene and compounds (LA) to (LFF):

[0024]Suitably L is a two-connected nitrogen ligand selected from 4,4'-bipyridine, 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane and 4,4'-bipyridylacetylene.

[0025]Preferably L is 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane or 4,4'-bipyridine.

[0026]Most preferably L is 4,4'-bipyridine.

[0027]Suitably ligands L in the porous chiral material are the same.

[0028]A is the anion of mandelic acid or a related acid. By a related acid we mean to refer to the anion of a substituted mandelic acid or an analogous compound including the same functional groups.

[0029]A is an anion of formula (II): wherein the stereocentre may be (R) or (S) and R 1< , R 2< , R 3< , R 4< and R 5< is each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, halo (especially chloro or bromo), alkyl (especially C 1 to C 4 alkyl), fluoroalkyl (especially C 1 to C 4 fluoroalkyl), sulfo, mercapto, alkoxy (especially C 1 to C 4 alkoxy), nitro, acyl and nitrilo.

[0030]Preferably each of R 1< , R 2< , R 3< , R 4< and R 5< is selected from hydrogen, halo and alkyl.

[0031]More preferably each of R 1< , R 2< , R 3< , R 4< and R 5< is selected from hydrogen, chloro and methyl. Preferably the mandelate ion is unsubsituted or monosubstituted on the phenyl ring.

[0032]Preferably R 1< is hydrogen or chloro.

[0033]Preferably R 2< is hydrogen or chloro.

[0034]Preferably R 3< is hydrogen, chloro or methyl.

[0035]Preferably R 4< is hydrogen or chloro.

[0036]Preferably R 5< is hydrogen or chloro.

[0037]Preferably A is selected from the anions of (S)-mandelic acid;(R)-2 chloromandelic acid; (R)-3-chloromandelic acid; (R)-4-chloromandelic acid and (R)-4-methyl mandelic acid.

[0038]Most preferably A is the anion of mandelic acid. It may be is the anion of (S)-mandelic acid or of (R)-mandelic acid.

[0039]Preferably A is a chiral anion. Preferably the anion is provided as a single enantiomer. Suitably the source of anion A has an enantiomeric excess (ee) of at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 99%.

[0040]Suitably substantially all of the anions present in the chiral porous material have the same absolute stereochemistry.

[0041]X -< is an anion. It may be an organic anion or an inorganic anion.

[0042]Preferably X -< is an organic anion. The anion may be an organic species with a single charged moiety or it may be part of a larger organic species with more than one charged moiety.

[0043]X -< comprises a sulfonate or carboxylate anion.

[0044]Suitably X -< is RCOO -< or RSO 3 -< wherein R is an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group. In some embodiments R may include one or more further COO -< or SO 3 -< residues.

[0045]R is an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group. Suitable substituents include hydroxy, amino, alkoxy, fluoro, chloro, bromo, sulfo, carboxy, mercapto, nitro and nitrile.

[0046]In some embodiments R is an alkyl or a fluroalkyl group, preferably a C 1 to C 4 alkyl or fluroalkyl group.

[0047]Most preferably R is a CF 3 and X -< is a triflate ion, CF 3 SO 3 -< (or -< OTf).

[0048]In some preferred embodiments the present invention provides a porous chiral material of formula [M(L) 1.5 (A)] +< OTf -< , wherein M, L and A are as previously defined herein.

[0049]In some preferred embodiments the present invention provides a porous chiral material of formula [Co(L) 1.5 (A)] +< X -< , wherein L, A and X -< are as previously defined herein.

[0050]In some preferred embodiments the present invention provides a porous chiral material of formula [M(bpy) 1.5 (A)] +< X -< wherein bpy is 4,4'-bipyridine and M, A and X -< are as previously defined herein.

[0051]In some preferred embodiments the present invention provides a porous chiral material of formula [Co(L) 1.5 (A)] +< OTf -< wherein L and A are as previously defined herein.

[0052]Suitably substantially all of the anions present in the chiral porous material have the same absolute stereochemistry.

[0053]X -< is an anion. It may be an organic anion or an inorganic anion.

[0054]Suitable inorganic anions include nitrate NO 3 -< , tetrafluoroborate BF 4 -< and hexafluorophosphate PF 6 -< .

[0055]In some preferred embodiments the anion is not nitrate.

[0056]Preferably X -< is an organic anion. The anion may be an organic species with a single charged moiety or it may be part of a larger organic species with more than one charged moiety.

[0057]Preferably X -< comprises a sulfonate or carboxylate anion.

[0058]Suitably X -< is RCOO -< or RSO 3 -< wherein R is an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group. In some embodiments R may include one or more further COO -< or SO 3 -< residues.

[0059]R is an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group. Suitable substituents include hydroxy, amino, alkoxy, fluoro, chloro, bromo, sulfo, carboxy, mercapto, nitro and nitrile.

[0060]In some embodiments R is an alkyl or a fluroalkyl group, preferably a C 1 to C 4 alkyl or fluroalkyl group.

[0061]Most preferably R is a CF 3 and X -< is a triflate ion, CF 3 SO 3 -< (or -< OTf).

[0062]In some preferred embodiments the present invention provides a porous chiral material of formula [M(L) 1.5 (A)] +< OTf -< , wherein M, L and A are as previously defined herein.

[0063]In some preferred embodiments the present invention provides a porous chiral material of formula [Co(L) 1.5 (A)] +< X -< , wherein L, A and X -< are as previously defined herein.

[0064]In some preferred embodiments the present invention provides a porous chiral material of formula [M(bpy) 1.5 (A)] +< X -< wherein bpy is 4,4'-bipyridine and M, A and X -< are as previously defined herein.

[0065]In some preferred embodiments the present invention provides a porous chiral material of formula [Co(L) 1.5 (A)] +< OTf -< wherein L and A are as previously defined herein.

[0066]In some preferred embodiments the present invention provides a porous chiral material of formula (Co(bpy) 1.5 (A)]OTf -< wherein A is a mandelic acid derived anion. Preferably A is selected from mandelate anion, a chloro-substituted mandelate anion and an alkyl substituted mandelate anion. Most preferably A is (S)-mandelate, i.e. the anion of (S)-mandelic acid or (R)-mandelate, i.e. the anion a (R)-mandelic acid.

[0067]The materials of the present invention are porous chiral materials.

[0068]By porous we mean that the material has cavities or channels into which other materials may flow.

[0069]By chiral we mean that the material has a defined stereochemical configuration and its mirror image would not be superimposable on it.

[0070]The porous chiral materials of the present invention may be provided in crystalline form.

[0071]Thus the present invention suitably provides a crystalline material of formula [M(L) 1.5 (A)] +< X -< wherein M, L, A and X -< are as previously defined herein.

[0072]The material is suitably in the form of an extended coordination network. The structure suitably contain channels which provide porosity. The channels may accommodate guest molecules. Preferably the channels are one-dimensional.

[0073]An advantage of the porous chiral materials of the present invention is that they are stable to heat and humidity. Preferably the porous chiral materials of the present invention are stable at temperatures of up to 100°C, preferably up to 200°C, for example up to 250°C or up to 300°C.

[0074]By stable we mean that the material retains its shape and form and does not degrade physically or chemically.

[0075]The porous chiral materials of the present invention are stable to solvent exchange, as well as being thermally and hydrolytically stable.

[0076]The materials of the present invention also are particularly advantageous because they are easy to prepare from cheap starting materials and they readily crystallise.

[0077]According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of preparing a porous chiral material of formula [M(L) 1.5 (A)] +< X -< , the method comprising admixing a salt of the metal with the ligand L and the acid A; wherein M is a metal ion; L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand; A is the anion of mandelic acid or a related acid; and X -< comprises a sulfonate or carboxylate anion; wherein A is an anion of formula (II): wherein the stereocentre may be (R) or (S) and R 1< , R 2< , R 3< , R 4< and R 5< is each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, halo (especially chloro or bromo), alkyl (especially C 1 to C 4 alkyl), fluoroalkyl (especially C 1 to C 4 fluoroalkyl), sulfo, mercapto, alkoxy (especially C 1 to C 4 alkoxy), nitro, acyl and nitrilo.

[0078]Preferred features of the second aspect are as defined in relation to the first aspect.

[0079]Any suitable salt of the metal will be used. In preferred embodiments the method involves admixing a salt of the metal cation and the anion X -< , which is the anion present in the final material. However embodiments involving an initial synthetic step followed by an ion exchange step are within the scope of the invention. Preferably the salt has the formula MX a wherein a depends on the charge on the anion and the cation. This would be understood by the person skilled in the art.

[0080]In some preferred embodiments X is a monovalent anion and the metal is present as a divalent cation and the salt is of formula MX 2 . The salt may be used in hydrated form.

[0081]The method involves admixture of the salt MX a , ligand L and acid A. These may be admixed in the presence or absence of a solvent, with or without heating. A number of methods of synthesising the materials are possible and some of these are described in the examples.

[0082]The method may involve dissolving the metal salt and the acid in a first solvent, suitably a polar, preferably a polar protic solvent (eg methanol); and dissolving the ligand in a second solvent, suitably an organic solvent, suitably an aromatic solvent, preferably an aromatic halogenated solvent (eg dicholorobenzene).

[0083]The first and second solvents are suitably miscible but with different densities to allow slow diffusion between the two phases. This may be referred to herein as a solvent layering method.

[0084]The method may involve mixing a solution of the metal salt and the acid in a first solvent, suitably a polar, preferably a polar protic solvent (eg methanol); and a solution of the ligand in a second solvent, suitably an organic solvent, suitably an aromatic solvent (eg dicholorobenzene) with agitation eg stirring. After agitating the mixture for a sufficient period (eg 24 hours), the resultant powder (for example a nanopowder) may be collected by filtration. This may be referred to herein as a direct mixing method.

[0085]A similar method may involve heating a solution of the metal salt and the acid in a first solvent, suitably a polar, preferably a polar protic solvent (eg methanol), suitably to a temperature of 60 to 100°C, for example around 80°C; and slowly adding a solution of the ligand in a second solvent, suitably an organic solvent, suitably an aromatic solvent(eg dicholorobenzene). Addition may be carried out over a period of, for example, 24 hours. The resultant powder may be collected by filtration. This may be referred to herein as a solvothermal reaction.

[0086]A further method may involve dry mixing the salt, the ligand and the acid, suitably with grinding, for example in a pestle and mortar. The mixture may then be heated in an oven, suitably for up to an hour, for example for about 15 min, at a temperature of 70 to 100°C, for example around 85°C. This may be referred to herein as a mechanosynthesis method.

[0087]According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a material of formula [M(L) 1.5 (A) +< ]X -< G n wherein M is a metal ion; L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand; A is an anion of mandelic acid or a related acid; X -< comprises a sulfonate or carboxylate anion; G is a guest molecule; and n is from 0 to 5; wherein A is an anion of formula (II): wherein the stereocentre may be (R) or (S) and R 1< , R 2< , R 3< , R 4< and R 5< is each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, halo (especially chloro or bromo), alkyl (especially C 1 to C 4 alkyl), fluoroalkyl (especially C 1 to C 4 fluoroalkyl), sulfo, mercapto, alkoxy (especially C 1 to C 4 alkoxy), nitro, acyl and nitrilo.

[0088]M, L, A and X -< are preferably as defined in relation to the first aspect and preferred features of the second aspect are as defined in relation to the first aspect.

[0089]G is a guest molecule.

[0090]n is from 0 to 5. When n is 0 there are no guest molecules hosted in the porous chiral material. In such embodiments the material of the third aspect is the same as the material of the first aspect. When n is from 1 to 5 there are between 1 and 5 guest molecules accommodated in each unit cell of the porous organic material. When n is between 0 and 1 a fraction of the unit cells within the porous chiral material are occupied by a guest molecule. Thus some unit cells contain a guest molecule and some are empty; or a guest molecule may be positioned between unit cells.

[0091]In some embodiments the porous chiral material may host more than different type of guest molecule. It may also host solvent molecules.

[0092]According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of preparing a material of formula [M(L) 1.5 A] +< X -< G, the method comprising contacting a material of formula [M(L) 1.5 X] +< A -< with a composition comprising a guest molecule G; wherein M is a metal ion; L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand; A is the anion of mandelic acid or a related acid; and X -< comprises a sulfonate or carboxylate anion; wherein A is an anion of formula (II): wherein the stereocentre may be (R) or (S) and R 1< , R 2< , R 3< , R 4< and R 5< is each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, halo (especially chloro or bromo), alkyl (especially C 1 to C 4 alkyl), fluoroalkyl (especially C 1 to C 4 fluoroalkyl), sulfo, mercapto, alkoxy (especially C 1 to C 4 alkoxy), nitro, acyl and nitrilo.

[0093]Preferred features of the fourth aspect are as defined in relation to the third aspect. Further preferred features of the third and fourth aspects of the invention will now be described.

[0094]Typically in the method of the fourth aspect the porous chiral material of formula [M(L) 1.5 X] +< A -< is immersed in a composition comprising the guest molecule. Typically the porous chiral material is immersed in the composition comprising the guest molecule for a period sufficient to allow an equilibrium to be reached.

[0095]The guest molecule may be provided neat (either enantiopure or as a mixture of enantiomers if chiral) or it may be dissolved in a solvent in which it is soluble but in which the porous chiral material is not. Suitable solvents will depend on the nature of the guest molecule.

[0096]Typically the solvent is an organic solvent, preferably a volatile organic solvent, for example dichloromethane. The solvent may enter the pores of the porous chiral material but it suitably does not bind as well as the guest molecule.

[0097]In some embodiments the composition comprising the guest molecule may contain impurities. These suitably do not bind to the porous chiral materials and thus the porous chiral materials of the invention may be used to purify the guest compound.

[0098]A wide range of different types of guest molecule may be hosted in the porous chiral materials of the present invention. The guest molecule may be a salt or an ion. Preferably it is a neutral species.

[0099]Preferably the guest molecule is a small organic molecule having less than 30 carbon atoms, suitably less than 25 carbon atoms, for example less than 20 carbon atoms.

[0100]The guest molecule may be aromatic or aliphatic in nature. It may be an unfunctionalised molecule or it may include one or more functional groups. For example it may include one or more of an alkene, an aldehyde, an alkyne, a ketone, a hydroxy group, a sulphide, a halide (especially chloro or bromo), an epoxide or a nitrile functionality.

[0101]In some embodiments the guest molecule may be a halogenated compound.

[0102]Examples of halogenated compounds that may be hosted by the chiral porous material include dichloromethane, alkyl choride, 1-bromopropane, 1-bromoheptane, 1-bromononane, 1-bromododecane and 1,2-dichlorobenzene.

[0103]In some embodiments the guest molecule may be an alcohol.

[0104]Examples of hydroxy containing compounds that may be hosted by the porous chiral material of the invention include 2-propanol, allyl alcohol, linalool, citronellol, and 1-decen-3-ol.

[0105]In some embodiments the guest molecule may include unsaturation. Examples of compounds containing unsaturation that may be hosted by the porous chiral materials of the present invention include carbon disulphide, acetonitrile, toluene, 1, 2-dichlorobenzene, allyl alcohol, allyl chloride, linalool, citral, citronellol and 1-decen-3-ol.

[0106]In some embodiments the guest molecule may be a simple alkane.

[0107]Examples of alkanes that may be hosted by the chiral porous material of the present invention include hexane and cyclohexane.

[0108]In some embodiments the guest molecule includes an aromatic moiety.

[0109]In some embodiments the guest molecule is an alkyl phenol wherein the alkyl group has 2 to 6 carbon atoms and includes one or more functional groups. Suitably the functional group(s) is/are selected from alcohol, epoxide, alkene and nitrile.

[0110]In some embodiments the guest molecule G is a compound of formula (III): wherein Ar is an aryl group and each of R 1< and R 2< is independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxide, nitrile, amino, halo, or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynl, aryl or alkoxy group.

[0111]In embodiments in which R 1< is not hydrogen and R 1< and R 2< are different there is a stereocentre at position a. In such embodiments there is preferably an excess of one enantiomer accommodated in the host molecule.

[0112]Preferably at least 60% of the guest molecules are of the same enantiomer, preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, suitably at least 90%, for example at least 95%. Such a high degree of selectivity is observed even when the composition contacted with the material comprises a racemic mixture of the guest molecule G or when the other enantiomer is present in excess. Thus the chiral porous materials of the present invention exhibit enantioselectivity which enables determination of the structure of the most preferred enantiomers.

[0113]Ar is an aryl group.

[0114]Preferably Ar is an optionally substituted phenyl group. Suitable substituents include hydroxy, nitrile, amino, halo, alkoxy, mercapto, fluoro, carboxy and nitro.

[0115]Preferably Ar is an unsubstituted phenyl group.

[0116]Each of R 1< and R 2< is independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxide, nitrile, amino, halo or an oxygen substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl or alkoxy group.

[0117]Preferably R 1< is selected from hydrogen, hydroxide and nitrile.

[0118]In some embodiments R 1< is hydrogen. In some embodiments R 1< is hydroxyl.

[0119]In some embodiments R 1< is nitrile.

[0120]In some embodiments where R 1< is hydrogen, R 2< is preferably a group of formula CHR 3< R 4< the guest molecule is a compound of formula (IV):

[0121]When R 3< and R 4< are different, there is a stereogenic centre at the carbon designated b in figure (IV).

[0122]In some embodiments R 3< is hydroxy and R 4< is an alkyl group. Preferably R 4< is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms.

[0123]In embodiments in which are R 1< is a hydroxy, R 2< is preferably selected from an alkyl or alkenyl group. Preferably R 1< is selected from an alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0124]Suitably when R 1< is a hydroxy, R 2< is selected from methyl, ethyl, CH=CH 2 n-propyl, n-butyl and cyclopropyl.

[0125]In embodiments in which R 1< is nitrile, R 2< is preferably alkyl, more preferably C 1 to C 4 alkyl, preferably C 1 or C 2 alkyl.

[0126]Suitable guest compounds that may be hosted in the porous chiral materials of the present invention include the following:

[0127]Advantageously the porous chiral materials of the present invention are able to bind chiral guest compounds within their structure. The resultant material incorporated in the host compound is suitably also crystalline and forms part of the overall crystal structure.

[0128]Such a crystal structure can then be determined by crystallographic techniques enabling the absolute stereochemistry of the guest compound to be determined within the larger structure of the host porous chiral material.

[0129]This means that even very small quantities of the guest material can be characterised by crystallography.

[0130]This is a significant advantage since traditional crystallisation methods require a minimum amount of material and for new compounds, trial and error is often used to determine the best crystallisation conditions, necessitating significant amounts of material.

[0131]The present invention thus allows trace amounts of material to be crystallised and the absolute stereochemistry thereof to be determined.

[0132]It will also be appreciated that the crystal structure of guest molecules which are not chiral may also be determined using the porous materials of the present invention.

[0133]The invention thus offers significant benefits in the fields of extraction of chemical compounds from natural products and identification of new chemical entities produced during pharmaceutical research.

[0134]The porous chiral material of the present invention may act as a chiral crystalline sponge. Thus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of a porous chiral material of formula [M(L) 1.5 (A)] +< X -< as a crystalline sponge; wherein M is a metal ion; L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand; A is the anion of mandelic acid or a related acid; and X -< comprises a sulfonate or carboxylate anion; wherein A is an anion of formula (II): wherein the stereocentre may be (R) or (S) and R 1< , R 2< , R 3< , R 4< and R 5< is each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, halo (especially chloro or bromo), alkyl (especially C 1 to C 4 alkyl), fluoroalkyl (especially C 1 to C 4 fluoroalkyl), sulfo, mercapto, alkoxy (especially C 1 to C 4 alkoxy), nitro, acyl and nitrilo.

[0135]It has been found that chiral porous materials of the present invention when contacted with a mixture of enantiomers may preferentially bind one enantiomer over another. Thus the chiral porous material of the present invention may be used in a resolution method.

[0136]The invention may provide a method of separating enantiomers, the method comprising contacting a composition comprising a mixture of enantiomers with a material of the first aspect. After the mixture of enantiomers had been left for a period sufficient to achieve equilibrium the porous chiral material could be separated, suitable by removing the solid material from the composition containing the mixture of enantiomers. One enantiomer would be carried within the porous chiral material acting as a crystalline sponge and the other would remain in the composition in the reaction vessel.

[0137]Advantageously the porous chiral materials of the present invention may reversibly bind guest molecules. This enables the guest molecule to be released following characterisation which may be important in resolution methods or when very small levels of new chemical entities or natural products are involved. This also allows the host material to be reused to help determine the structure of further compounds.

[0138]The porous chiral materials of the present invention offer a number of significant advantages over porous materials of the prior art. The materials typically have adaptable pore sizes enabling them to accommodate different guest molecules.

[0139]In addition they are stable to solvent exchange, heat and humidity. Because of these features the chiral porous materials of the present invention not only find utility as chiral crystalline sponges but are also very useful as chiral stationary phases in chromatography columns.

[0140]According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a chromatography column comprising as a stationary phase a chiral porous material of formula [M(L) 1.5 (A)] +< X -< wherein M is a metal ion; L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand; A is an anion of mandelic acid or a related acid; and X -< comprises a sulfonate or carboxylate anion; wherein A is an anion of formula (II): wherein the stereocentre may be (R) or (S) and R 1< , R 2< , R 3< , R 4< and R 5< is each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, halo (especially chloro or bromo), alkyl (especially C 1 to C 4 alkyl), fluoroalkyl (especially C 1 to C 4 fluoroalkyl), sulfo, mercapto, alkoxy (especially C 1 to C 4 alkoxy), nitro, acyl and nitrilo.

[0141]Preferred features of the sixth aspect are as defined in relation to the first, second, third, fourth and fifth aspect.

[0142]Chromatography columns are known to those skilled in the art and comprise a tube in which the inside surface is coated with a m