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Researchers identify unexpected twist while developing new polymer-based semiconductors

Researchers at University of Illinois developed new semiconductor materials that can harness the power of chirality, a non-superimposable mirror image. The study found that subtle molecular changes can modulate chiral helical assemblies, leading to new optical, electronic, and mechanical properties.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalACS Central Science·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2023

Atomic dance gives rise to a magnet

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to transform a rare-earth crystal into a magnet by using chirality in phonons. Chirality, or the twisting of atoms' motion, breaks time-reversal symmetry and aligns electron spins, creating a magnetic effect.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2023

CABBI develops eco-friendly enzyme to create key chemical building blocks

Researchers at CABBI develop photoenzymatic system to efficiently synthesize chiral amines, crucial chemical building blocks with wide applications. The team's new method addresses a longstanding challenge in synthetic chemistry and offers a promising platform for biomanufacturing.

Selectivity effect of molecular chirality may have universal applications, researchers find

A team led by Takuro Sato found that the chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect can filter out electrons and molecules with specific chirality, enabling enantioselectivity without chiral catalysis. This discovery has broader applications in producing safer chemicals and developing advanced electronics across various scales.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2023

Aggregation-induced catalysis: Asymmetric catalysis with chiral aggregates

Researchers at Texas Tech University and Nanjing University have developed a new method for controlling chirality in asymmetric catalysis using chiral aggregates. This method, called aggregation-induced catalysis (AIC), uses the aggregation of chiral auxiliary raw materials or catalysts to achieve controlled chirality in reactions. The...

SourceResearch·JournalResearch·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2023

Liquid crystals that mimic beetle shell coloration units used to create more secure type of QR code

Researchers at Nagoya University developed a method to process cholesteric liquid crystals into micrometer-sized spherical particles, creating a unique anti-counterfeiting QR code that can only be displayed under a specific circular polarizer. The use of chirality in these particles enables the creation of more secure codes with potent...

SourceNagoya University·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateJul 14, 2023

Scientists synthesize isotopic atropisomers based on carbon isotope discrimination

Researchers successfully synthesized isotopic atropisomers based on carbon isotope discrimination, exhibiting high rotational stability and stereochemical purity. The findings hold promise for fundamental understanding of isotopic atropisomers with implications in organic and medicinal chemistry.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalThe Journal of Organic Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 2023

Unlocking the potential of enantioselective catalysis: advancements in pyrrolidinyl gold(I) complexes explored through DFT and NEST analysis of the chiral binding pocket

Researchers employ DFT and NEST analysis to investigate pyrrolidinyl gold(I) complexes, revealing enhanced understanding of electronic and steric effects. The findings facilitate the design of novel chiral ligands for enantioselective reactions.

A novel green photoreactor for the synthesis of desirable chiral enantiomers

A team of Japanese researchers has successfully developed a recycling photoreactor that enables the synthesis of optically pure compounds with high yields, achieving an optical purity of 98-99%. The system uses a two-step rapid photoracemization process and can produce enantiomerically pure chiral sulfoxides in yields higher than 80%.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalThe Journal of Organic Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2023

A new twist on chirality: researchers extend the concept of directionality and propose a new class of materials

A team led by Taylor Hughes and Gaurav Bahl has experimentally realized a theoretical extension of chirality in two dimensions. They constructed a topological circuit network to explore new behaviors predicted by this extended chirality, which manifests as locking between a particle's flow direction and an arrow carried along with it.

Luminous molecules

A team of chemists at the University of Basel has successfully synthesized organic light-emitting diodes by creating compounds with the exact three-dimensional structure desired. This breakthrough enables the development of more efficient and longer-lasting OLEDs.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Chemistry·DateApr 12, 2023

Shining a light on helical polymers

Scientists at CiQUS have developed a methodology to quantify the folding degree of helical polymers, identifying the direction of helix rotation and its impact on structure-function relationship. The innovative approach allows for the estimation of folding degree and potential improvements in polymer performance.

SourceCenter for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2023

Solving the mystery of left-handed amino acids in primordial RNA reactions

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science used computer simulations to clarify why L-alanine was preferred over D-alanine during primordial RNA aminoacylation reactions. The study revealed that L-amino acid had more electrostatic stability in its transition state, providing a plausible reason for the selective aminoacylation.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalLife·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 16, 2023

New fluorescent chiral-selective receptor system represents a breakthrough in molecular detection with potential for applications in diabetes management

Researchers have developed a novel fluorescence recognition method for detecting D-glucose in water, showing excellent D-glucose chiral selectivity. The system consists of cyclodextrin and monoboronic acid-based receptor complexes, which can detect glucose concentrations with low limits of detection.

SourceSophia University·JournalACS Sensors·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2023

Metalloradical catalysis guides new cobalt-based system that exploits unique features of homolytic radical reaction

Researchers at Boston College have developed a new catalytic approach that enables concurrent control of multiple convergences and selectivities in intermolecular amination of allylic carbon-hydrogen bonds in alkenes. The cobalt-based system exploits unique features of homolytic radical reaction to form desired amine products in a high...

SourceBoston College·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2023

‘Sound’ly segregated supramolecular helices

Researchers have successfully segregated oppositely helical supramolecular polymers in a solution using audible sound, inducing surface vibrations and advection currents. This approach allows for the spatiotemporal control of chiral supramolecular systems, enabling the segregation of multiple aggregates.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalChem·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2022

Growing pure nanotubes is a stretch, but possible

Materials theorists Boris Yakobson and Ksenia Bets propose a method to control the growth of carbon nanotubes by constraining the carbon feedstock in a furnace. This approach allows for the production of batches with single desired chirality, which is essential for highly conductive applications. The researchers suggest etching away lo...

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 9, 2022

First observation of switchable chiral transport in a structurally achiral crystal

Researchers have reported the first observation of switchable chiral transport in a structurally achiral crystal, Kagome superconductor CsV3Sb5. The team proposes a model where electrons arrange themselves in patterns that violate mirror symmetry, even though atoms are arranged symmetrically.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2022

Synthetic routes to pharmaceuticals greatly expanded leading to new and more effective treatments

A search of the Cambridge Structural Database found nearly 1,800 conglomerate crystal structures with spontaneous enriched chirality, augmenting synthetic building blocks for medicinal chemists. This discovery introduces a new pool of chiral molecules outside of natural sources, potentially leading to more effective treatments.

SourceCCDC - Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre·JournalJACS Au·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 6, 2022