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On-Surface Evolution of meso-Isomerism in Two-Dimensional Supramolecular Assemblies
Juyeon Park1,2,3, Ju-Hyung Kim1,4, Sunmi Bak5,6
1Surface and Interface Science Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|May 17, 2019
Summary
Researchers observed a novel surface chirality phenomenon, meso-isomerism, in dehydrobenzo[12]annulene assemblies on Ag(111). This study reveals coverage-driven transitions from chiral to achiral states, offering new control over 2D chiral architectures.
Area of Science:
- Surface science
- Supramolecular chemistry
- Chirality studies
Background:
- Chiral structures on surfaces are crucial in science and engineering.
- Understanding molecular adsorption and self-assembly is key to controlling surface chirality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a novel surface chirality phenomenon: meso-isomerism.
- To explore coverage-driven polymorphic transitions in supramolecular assemblies.
- To understand the relationship between molecular symmetry and emergent chirality.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of dehydrobenzo[12]annulene on Ag(111) at various coverages.
- Systematic study of single-molecule and supramolecular assembly behavior.
- Analysis of adsorption-induced pseudo-diastereomerism and phase transitions.
Main Results:
- Four distinct, coverage-dependent phases of dehydrobenzo[12]annulene were observed on Ag(111).
- Unique chiral characteristics were found at single-molecule and supramolecular assembly levels.
- A lemniscate-type supramolecular configuration demonstrated a transition from enantiomeric to meso-isomeric (achiral) domains.
Conclusions:
- Coverage-driven hierarchical polymorphic transitions drive organizational chirality (meso-isomerism).
- Adsorption-induced pseudo-diastereomerism is the mechanism behind phase transitions.
- These findings offer new strategies for controlling 2D chiral architectures on surfaces.
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