Chiral Engineering: Molecular Recognition to Macroscopic Assembly Dynamics

Chiral phenomena are ubiquitous from molecules to macroscopic materials, and their precise identification and assembly are at the core of research at the intersection of chemistry, materials science, and life sciences. In this paper, a systematic review of the research progress is undertaken concerning the recognition mechanisms of chiral spatial configurations and the formation of supramolecular chirality. At the molecular level, three‑point interactions, ligand‑exchange, and host-guest adaptive mechanisms reveal the synergistic laws of non‑covalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonding and electrostatic forces. Furthermore, molecular imprinting technology (MIT) realizes highly specific recognition through template‑cavity design. Supramolecular chirality research focuses on the mechanisms of chiral induction and transfer, and dynamic assembly realizes the cross‑scale expression of molecular chirality in macroscopic functions. Innovative breakthroughs include single‑molecule detection technology to reveal the dynamic recognition process and light‑controlled switches to give materials smart, responsive properties. Nevertheless, cross‑scale chiral‑transfer mechanisms, material stability, and single‑molecule‑detection signal‑to‑noise‑ratio limitations remain significant challenges. In the future, it will be necessary to combine in situ characterization and computational simulation to analyze dynamic evolution pathways, to develop stimuli‑responsive smart materials, and to expand the applications of chiral engineering in quantum information and biomedicine.