Design of chiral picen-based metal complexes for molecular recognition of α-aminoacids and nucleic acids

Molecular design features which determine the enantio- and stereoselective behaviour of metal complexes derived from chiral linear N4-tetradentate ligands with terminal α-pyridyl groups are described. Examples are provided of the ability of these complexes to recognise the molecular structures of biologically interesting molecules (α-aminoacids and nucleic acids). Noncovalent binding and steric factors which influence these molecular recognition processes are analysed and assessed. These include discriminatory interactions which occur at the intraligand, interligand (intramolecular) and intermolecular levels.