Unprecedented helix-based microporous metal-organic frameworks constructed from a single ligand.

Unprecedented helix-based MMOFs with a cylindrical channel constructed from a single, newly designed Na(2)Pra(2)biim [Na(2)Pra(2)biim = 1,1'-di(propionic acid)-2,2'-biimidazole disodium salt], M(Pra(2)biim)(H(2)O) x xnH(2)O (M = Cd, Pb) have been presented, which are built from alternately arranged left- and right-handed helical M-biim tubes interconnected by the carboxyl arms of the ligand, and these findings reveal the promising potential of functionalized helical ligands in the construction of helix-based MMOFs from a single linker.