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Field-Induced Diastereomers for Chiral Separation
Andrey Yachmenev1,2, Jolijn Onvlee1, Emil Zak1
1Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|January 11, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to separate chiral molecules using laser physics and electric fields. This technique allows for controlled, state-specific enantiomeric enrichment and spatial separation, enhancing enantiomeric excess up to 30%.
Area of Science:
- Strong-field laser physics
- Quantum chemistry
- Chiral chemistry
Background:
- Enantiomers, non-superimposable mirror-image forms of chiral molecules, present separation challenges in chemistry and pharmacology.
- Current methods for enantiomeric separation are often complex and lack state-specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel approach for state-specific enantiomeric enrichment and spatial separation of enantiomers.
- To demonstrate controllable handedness in chiral field creation for molecular separation.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing an optical centrifuge and a static electric field to create a chiral field with defined handedness.
- Exploiting unique rotational excitation dynamics of molecular enantiomers within the chiral field.
- Employing electrostatic deflection for spatial separation of enantiomers based on their distinct interactions with the chiral field.
Main Results:
- Achieved state-specific enantiomeric enrichment and spatial separation of enantiomers.
- Demonstrated full control over the rotational-state-specific enantiomeric enhancement and its handedness.
- Computationally demonstrated the concept of field-induced diastereomers using quantum-mechanical simulations.
- Obtained ensembles of propylene oxide with an enantiomeric excess of up to 30%.
Conclusions:
- The presented scheme offers a controllable and effective method for enantiomeric enrichment and spatial separation.
- The conceptual framework of field-induced diastereomers provides a theoretical basis for understanding these chiral separation phenomena.
- This technique holds potential for applications in chiral synthesis and analysis.
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