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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
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Construction and Systematical Symmetric Studies of a Series of Supramolecular Clusters with Binary or Ternary Ammonium Triphenylacetates
Published on: February 15, 2016
Supramolecular Assembly-Driven Emergent Chirality with Simultaneous Induction and Ligand Inversion in Atomic Clusters
Tathagata Islam1,2, Ujjala Dey3, Santanu Dolai3
1Biophysical Sciences Group, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata700064, India.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
|July 22, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a supramolecular assembly strategy to control chirality in achiral gold nanoclusters. The process induces chirality, amplifies signals, and even inverts ligand chirality during assembly.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Chirality Studies
Background:
- Controlling chirality in nanoscale systems is challenging, especially in achiral platforms.
- Achiral platforms require difficult chiral induction and structural reconfiguration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a supramolecular assembly-driven strategy for chiral control in achiral gold nanoclusters.
- To achieve simultaneous chiral induction, amplification, and ligand-level inversion.
Main Methods:
- Utilized supramolecular assembly triggered by glutathione (GSH) interaction.
- Employed spectroscopic, microscopic, and computational analyses.
- Investigated ligand exchange and noncovalent interactions.
Main Results:
- Achiral gold nanoclusters assembled into fluorescent fibrillar architectures with strong chiroptical activity.
- Observed inversion of glutathione's intrinsic chirality during nanocluster assembly.
- Demonstrated enhanced fluorescence and amplified chiral signals post-assembly.
Conclusions:
- Supramolecular assembly is a powerful method for programming emergent chirality in nanoclusters.
- Established a framework for designing adaptive chiral nanomaterials.
- Revealed a coupling between ligand reorganization and nanocluster assembly leading to chirality control.
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