Electrochemically Supported Asymmetric Synthesis on Chiral Encoded Pt and Pt-Ir Surfaces

In recent years, we studied the design of chiral-encoded metal surfaces via electrodeposition as a platform for heterogeneous asymmetric synthesis, where stereochemical information is intrinsically embedded within metallic architectures together with mesoporous structures. By using lyotropic liquid crystal templating and chiral molecular imprinting, it is possible to elaborate chiral-encoded mesoporous metal electrodes by electrodeposition, particularly Pt or Pt-Ir systems, with chiral recognition sites that enable ligand-free enantioselective transformations. These designer materials exhibit high surface area, efficient mass transport, and structural robustness, overcoming key limitations of traditional enantioselective catalysis such as poor recyclability and limited stability. Our studies demonstrate that the chiral interfaces enable highly enantioselective electrosynthesis of chiral compounds, achieving up to 95% ee with excellent durability. In addition, we implemented several concepts to enhance the enantiomeric excess, for example, pulsed electrosynthesis, and self-assembled monolayer protection of chiral-imprinted metal surfaces for highly enantioselective electrosynthesis. Furthermore, we also extended the concept to heterogeneous catalysis for asymmetric synthesis of chiral molecules, in particular, pharmaceutically relevant compounds, eventually achieving up to 95% ee with excellent durability and compatibility with flow-based systems. We also integrated these materials into autonomous systems, developing chiral metal microswimmers that combine self-propulsion with enantioselective catalysis, thus enabling self-mixing. Despite ongoing challenges in stabilizing the imprinted chiral information, the broadening of this concept to other metals, such as multimetallic and non-noble systems, offers promising solutions. Taken together, these advancements establish this approach to create chiral-encoded metal surfaces as a versatile concept for the next generation of chiral-imprinted metals for sustainable asymmetric synthesis.