Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 31, 2026
04:14
Facile Synthesis of Colloidal Lead Halide Perovskite Nanoplatelets via Ligand-Assisted Reprecipitation
Published on: October 1, 2019
13.6K
Interface-Induced Symmetry-Breaking Processes Behind Intrinsic Chirality in Lead Halide Metal-Ligand Complexes and
Celia Todd1, Kai-Chun Chou1, Mariam Khvichia1
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
|January 29, 2026
Summary
Chirality in lead bromide-DMF complexes originates from asymmetric solvation, evolving into larger chiral nanoclusters. This study reveals how this chirality propagates through hierarchical growth in perovskite nanomaterials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Physics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Chirality is crucial in materials science, particularly for perovskite nanomaterials.
- Understanding the origin of chirality in metal-ligand complexes is essential for controlling material properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the origin and evolution of chirality in lead bromide-DMF metal-ligand complexes (MLCs).
- To elucidate the hierarchical growth of chiral nanoclusters and perovskite nanoclusters (PNCs).
Main Methods:
- UV-vis electronic absorption and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy to identify chiral MLCs.
- Raman spectroscopy to analyze PbBr2 dissolution and Pb-DMF coordination.
- Density functional theory (DFT) calculations to support binding interactions.
Main Results:
- Chiral MLCs, identified as [PbBr2(DMF)4] and [PbBr3(DMF)3]-1, were observed at 283 and 310 nm.
- New bands associated with multi-Pb MLCs, molecular clusters (MCs), and PNCs appeared upon MABr addition and toluene injection.
- Raman spectra and DFT calculations confirmed Pb-DMF bonding and asymmetric solvation of Pb2+.
Conclusions:
- Chirality originates from asymmetric solvation of Pb2+ at the solid-liquid interface.
- This chirality propagates through hierarchical growth into larger chiral assemblies, including PNCs.
- Provides a foundation for understanding chirality emergence in perovskite nanomaterials.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:51Metal-Ligand Bonds
24.3K
The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
24.3K
02:58Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
30.8K
Crystal Field Theory
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
30.8K
02:04Protein-protein Interfaces
14.7K
Many proteins form complexes to carry out their functions, making protein-protein interactions (PPIs) essential for an organism's survival. Most PPIs are stabilized by numerous weak noncovalent chemical forces. The physical shape of the interfaces determines the way two proteins interact. Many globular proteins have closely-matching shapes on their surfaces, which form a large number of weak bonds. Additionally, many PPIs occur between two helices or between a surface cleft and a...
14.7K
02:04Fixing Double-strand Breaks
14.6K
The double-stranded structure of DNA has two major advantages. First, it serves as a safe repository of genetic information where one strand serves as the back-up in case the other strand is damaged. Second, the double-helical structure can be wrapped around proteins called histones to form nucleosomes, which can then be tightly wound to form chromosomes. This way, DNA chains up to 2 inches long can be contained within microscopic structures in a cell. A double-stranded break not only damages...
14.6K
02:46Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes
48.4K
Tetrahedral Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
48.4K
02:18Intrinsically Disordered Proteins
19.4K
Intrinsically disordered proteins are a group of proteins that do not fold into specific three-dimensional structures. Their structural flexibility allows them to complement ordered proteins to perform functions that are inaccessible to rigid structures. They are more common in eukaryotes than prokaryotes and may either be exclusively intrinsically disordered or hybrid proteins, consisting of a mix of ordered and disordered regions. The absence of a rigid structure in these proteins can be...
19.4K