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Chiral Solvent-Induced Homochiral Hierarchical Molecular Assemblies at the Liquid/Solid Interface
Matsuhiro Maeda1, Steven De Feyter2, Kazukuni Tahara1
1Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Science and Technology, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashimita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|July 10, 2024
Summary
Chiral solvents induce homochiral self-assembled molecular networks (SAMNs) formation. Solvent concentration influences chirality transmission and network structure, impacting molecular self-assembly.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Surface Science
- Chirality Studies
Background:
- Self-assembled molecular networks (SAMNs) are crucial for advanced materials.
- Controlling chirality in SAMNs is essential for enantioselective processes.
- Liquid/solid interfaces offer unique environments for molecular self-assembly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation of homochiral SAMNs using chirality induction.
- To explore the role of chiral solvents in directing molecular self-assembly.
- To understand concentration-dependent chirality transmission in SAMNs.
Main Methods:
- Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) was employed to visualize molecular arrangements.
- A dehydrobenzo[12]annulene (DBA) derivative was studied at the liquid/graphite interface.
- Experiments were conducted using achiral and chiral solvent mixtures.
Main Results:
- Achiral solvents led to achiral DBA derivative forming chiral clusters with equal enantiomorphs.
- Chiral solvents induced homochiral clusters at low concentrations.
- Concentration-dependent chirality bias was observed, with dense structures at high concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Chiral solvents effectively induce homochiral SAMNs.
- The degree of chirality transmission is influenced by solvent coadsorption and nucleation dynamics.
- Concentration plays a critical role in controlling chirality and structure in molecular self-assembly.
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