Helix inside a helix: Encapsulation of hydrogen-bonded water molecules in a staircase coordination polymer

Abstract

A stream of water molecules, held together by hydrogen bonding, forms a left-handed helix within the helical channels of a left-handed staircaselike metal coordination polymer. The result is a novel helix-in-a-helix structure. The water-filled channel can be seen on viewing the coordination polymer along the b axis (see picture; C gray, N blue, Ni green, O red).