Serine octamer metaclusters: formation, structure elucidation and implications for homochiral polymerization

Multiply charged serine metaclusters (composed of two or more homochiral octameric units) are generated by electrospray ionization, and their unique fused structures (hydrogen-bonded through the sticky ends of the drum-shaped octameric units) have been elucidated using tandem mass spectrometry experiments and molecular mechanics calculations.