Countercation-directed chiral resolution of [Mo2O4(H2dtpa)]−, syntheses, crystal structures and CD spectra of (λ)-[NEt4][Mo2O4(H2dtpa)] and (δ)-Na[Mo2O4(H2dtpa)]

Countercation-directed chiral resolution of (λ, δ)-[Mo2O4(H2dtpa)]− has been successfully achieved by countercation-induced supramolecular enantioselectivity (H2dtpa3− = diethylenetriamine pentaacetate). (λ)-1 and (δ)-2 crystallize in chiral space group P21 and P1 with Flack parameters of 0.00(3) and 0.02(4), respectively. (λ)-[NEt4][Mo2O4(H2dtpa)] ((λ)-1) and (δ)-Na[Mo2O4(H2dtpa] ((δ)-2) show a pair of enantiomorphic structures related by mirror symmetry. The 1D supramolecular structure of the [NEt4]+ salt (λ)-1 formed by the O⋯H+⋯O hydrogen bonds favors λ-[Mo2O4(H2dtpa)]−. However, supramolecular interactions of (δ)-2 are dominated by Na–O bonds that allow δ-[Mo2O4(H2dtpa)]− to form a 3D supramolecular porous framework.