Postfunctionalization of Tris(pyridyl) Aluminate Ligands: Chirality, Coordination, and Supramolecular Chemistry

Abstract

Postfunctionalization of the aluminate anion [EtAl(6‐Me‐2‐py)3]− (1) (2‐py=2‐pyridyl) with alkoxide ligands can be achieved by the selective reactions of the lithium salt 1 Li with alcohols in the appropriate stoichiometry. This method can be used to introduce 3‐ and 4‐py functionality in the form of 3‐ and 4‐alkoxymethylpyridyl groups, while maintaining the integrity of the aluminate framework, thereby giving entry to new supramolecular chemistry. Chirality can be introduced either by using a chiral alcohol as a reactant or by the stepwise reaction of 1 Li with two different nonchiral alcohols. The latter route has allowed the synthesis of a rare example of a chiral‐at‐aluminium aluminate.