Chiral Molecular Recognition on Formation of a Metalloanthocyanin: A Supramolecular Metal Complex Pigment from Blue Flowers ofSalvia patens

Abstract

The chirality of the sugar moiety is responsible for the chiral molecular recognition on formation of a metalloanthocyanin from Salvia patens. This mechanism was revealed by using the synthetic apigenin 7,4′-diglucosides derived from D- or L-glucose. The supermolecule (see picture) consists of six malonylawobanin molecules (blue) coordinated to two Mg2+ ions (red) with an M-helical arrangement of six 7,4′-diglucoside molecules (yellow) intercalated.