Peptide–Metal Frameworks with Metal Strings Guided by Dispersion Interactions

Despite impressive advances in the construction of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), the formation of networks from peptidic ligands is difficult, though they are sought after for their modularity and biocompatibility. Herein we present a peptide–metal framework that consists of helical oligoproline ligands and Zn/K (or Zn/Rb). The crystalline network contains pleated nanosheets with the metal ions aligned in strings. This unprecedented architecture derives from under-appreciated London dispersion interactions between the oligoproline ligands that play in concert with the metal coordination to create the network. Hence, the secondary structure of the peptidic ligand represents an additional control element for the creation of new MOF architectures. We anticipate that our results will instruct the design of further peptidic MOFs and enable the generation of versatile biocompatible materials.