Five simultaneous steady states in a flipping two-compartment-system with optical antipodes

Area of Science:

• Chemical kinetics
• Systems theory
• Chirality studies

Background:

• Previous models described mono-bistable behavior in asymmetric chemical systems for synthesizing optical antipodes.
• The concept of "openness" in chemical reaction systems influences their behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To re-examine a systems-theoretic model for optical antipode synthesis in a two-compartment system with diffusion coupling.
• To investigate the emergence of multiple steady states and their stability based on precursor influx.

Main Methods:

• A systems-theoretic model was adapted for two coupled compartments.
• Analysis of steady states was performed by varying the precursor influx (j).
• Identification of threshold values (j1, j2, j3) determining system behavior.

Main Results:

• Below j1, a single symmetric steady state with no optical activity exists.
• Between j1 and j2, a symmetric steady state with optical activity (parallel flipping) emerges.
• Above j2, additional antiparallel flipping steady states appear, with stability beyond j3, leading to 5 total steady states (4 stable, 1 unstable).

Conclusions:

• The two-compartment model exhibits rich dynamics with multiple coexisting steady states.
• Precursor influx is a critical parameter controlling the system's optical activity and spatial distribution.
• The system demonstrates complex phenomena like parallel and antiparallel flipping, showcasing multi-stability in chemical synthesis.