Chiral Gold Nanorods with Five-Fold Rotational Symmetry and Orientation-Dependent Chiroptical Properties of Their Monomers and Dimers

Chiral plasmonic nanoparticles have attracted much attention because of their strong chiroptical responses and broad scientific applications. However, the types of chiral plasmonic nanoparticles have remained limited. Herein we report on a new type of chiral nanoparticle, chiral Au nanorod (NR) with five-fold rotational symmetry, which is synthesized using chiral molecules. Three different types of Au seeds (Au elongated nanodecahedrons, nanodecahedrons, and nanobipyramids) are used to study the growth behaviors. Different synthesis parameters, including the chiral molecules, surfactant, reductant, seeds, and Au precursor, are systematically varied to optimize the chiroptical responses of the chiral Au NRs. The chiral scattering measurements on the individual chiral Au NRs and their dimers are performed. Intriguingly, the chiroptical signals of the individual chiral Au NRs and their end-to-end dimers are similar, while those of the side-by-side dimers are largely reduced. Theoretical calculations and numerical simulations reveal that the different chiroptical responses of the chiral NR dimers are originated from the coupling effect between the plasmon resonance modes. Our study enriches chiral plasmonic nanoparticles and provides valuable insight for the design of plasmonic nanostructures with desired chiroptical properties.     

Interfacial Self-assembly of Chiral Selenide Nanomembrane for Enantiospecific Recognition

Here, we report the synthesis of chiral selenium nanoparticles (NPs) using cysteine and the interfacial assembly strategy to generate a self-assembled nanomembrane on a large-scale with controllable morphology and handedness. The selenide (Se) NPs exhibited circular dichroism (CD) bands in the ultraviolet and visible region with a maximum intensity of 39.96 mdeg at 388 nm and optical anisotropy factors (g-factors) of up to 0.0013 while a self-assembled monolayer nanomembrane exhibited symmetrical CD approaching 72.8 mdeg at 391 nm and g-factors up to 0.0034. Analysis showed that a photocurrent of 20.97±1.55 nA was generated by the D-nanomembrane when irradiated under light while the L-nanomembrane generated a photocurrent of 20.58±1.36 nA. Owing to the asymmetric intensity of the photocurrent with respect to the handedness of the nanomembrane, an ultrasensitive recognition of enantioselective kynurenine (Kyn) was achieved by the ten-layer (10L) D-nanomembrane exhibiting a photocurrent for L-kynurenine (L-Kyn) that was 8.64-fold lower than that of D-Kyn, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.0074 nM for the L-Kyn, which was attributed to stronger affinity between L-Kyn and D-Se NPs. Noticeably, the chiral Se nanomembrane precisely distinguished L-Kyn in serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples from Alzheimer's disease patients and healthy subjects.     

Unprecedented Chiral Three-dimensional Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Perovskitoids

Chiral three-dimensional hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites (3D HOIPs) would show unique chiroptoelectronic performance due to the combination of chirality and 3D structure. However, the synthesis of 3D chiral HOIPs remains a significant challenge. Herein, we constructed a pair of unprecedented 3D chiral halide perovskitoids (R/S-BPEA)EA₆Pb₄Cl₁₅ ( 1-R/S ) (R/S-BPEA=(R/S)-1-4-Bromophenylethylammonium, EA=ethylammonium), in which the large chiral cations can be contained in the big “hollow” inorganic frameworks induced by mixing cations. Notably, 3D 1-R/S shows natural chiroptical activity, as evidenced by its significant mirror circular dichroism spectra and the ability to distinguish circularly polarized light. Moreover, based on the unique 3D structure, 1-S presents sensitive X-ray detection performance with a low detection limit of 398 nGy_air s⁻¹, which is 14 times lower than the regular medical diagnosis of 5.5 μGy_air s⁻¹. In this work, 3D chiral halide perovskitoids provide a new route to develop chiral material in spintronics and optoelectronics.     

Structure and Dynamics of Chiral Molecules

Could there be chiral methane? What is the characteristic structural feature (in a physicochemical sense) of a molecule? This question dates back to Louis Pasteur, the discoverer of molecular chirality, and since the work of van't Hoff and Le Bel is generally considered by chemists as solved. In the present article it is pointed out that there exist fundamentally conflicting theoretical views of the physical origin of molecular chirality. These views predict consequences that could, in principle, be distinguished experimentally, but at present there is no conclusive experimental evidence available. Possible experiments are suggested that test different hypotheses. The importance of the magnitude of the parity-violating energy difference δE_PV in molecules due to the weak nuclear force for both the structure and spectra of chiral molecules and for the kinetics of racemization is discussed. The chemical relaxation rate coefficient of chiral molecules with some appreciable energy of excitation is derived for several limiting cases of a simple statistical mechanical model, which takes ΔE_PV into account.     

Chiral J‐Aggregates of Atropo‐Enantiomeric Perylene Bisimides and Their Self‐Sorting Behavior

Herein we report on structural, morphological, and optical properties of homochiral and heterochiral J‐aggregates that were created by nucleation–elongation assembly of atropo‐enantiomerically pure and racemic perylene bisimides (PBIs), respectively. Our detailed studies with conformationally stable biphenoxy‐bridged chiral PBIs by UV/Vis absorption, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed structurally as well as spectroscopically quite different kinds of J‐aggregates for enantiomerically pure and racemic PBIs. AFM investigations showed that enantiopure PBIs form helical nanowires of unique diameter and large length‐to‐width ratio by self‐recognition, while racemic PBIs provide irregular‐sized particles by self‐discrimination of the enantiomers at the stage of nucleation. Steady‐state fluorescence spectroscopy studies revealed that the photoluminescence efficiency of homochiral J‐aggregated nanowires (47±3 %) is significantly higher than that of heterochiral J‐aggregated particle‐like aggregates (12±3 %), which is explained in terms of highly ordered molecular stacking in one‐dimensional nanowires of homochiral J‐aggregates. Our present results demonstrate the high impact of homochirality on the construction of well‐defined nanostructures with unique optical properties.     

Self‐Assembled Ultralong Chiral Nanotubes and Tuning of Their Chirality Through the Mixing of Enantiomeric Components

Enantiomeric L ‐ or D ‐glutamic acid based lipids were designed and their self‐assembly was investigated. It was found that at a certain concentration, either L ‐ or D ‐enantiomeric derivatives could self‐assemble in absolute alcohol to form a white organogel, which was composed of ultralong nanotubes with an aspect ratio higher than 1000. Further investigations revealed that these nanotubes were in chiral forms. The chirality of the nanotubes was determined by that of the enantiomers employed. In addition, when D and L enantiomers were mixed in different ratios, the nanotube could be tuned consecutively from nanotubes with a helical seam to nanotwists, the chirality of which being determined by the excess enantiomer in the mixed systems. In the case of an equimolar mixture of the enantiomers, flat nanoplates instead of helical nanotubes or nanotwists were obtained. The FTIR vibrational data and XRD layer‐distance values showed a consecutive change as a function of the enantiomeric excess. It was further revealed that the slightly stronger interaction between D –L enantiomeric pairs than that between D –D or L –L pairs was responsible for the formation of the diverse self‐assembled nanostructures.     

几种环状多肽的几何构型特征及其自组装的理论研究

运用半经验分子轨道AM₁方法优化了6种环状多肽的结构,并进行了振动分析的确认.通过对它们的能量、结构特征和正则振动模式的分析研究,揭示了这类分子具有能够进行自组装过程的结构特征,详细讨论了取代基对结构和自组装过程的影响.     

Simultaneous Chiral Fixation and Chiral Regulation Endowed by Dynamic Covalent Bonds

The construction of chiral superstructures through the self-assembly of non-chiral polymers usually relies on the interplay of multiple non-covalent bonds, which is significantly limited by the memory ability of induced chirality. Although the introduction of covalent crosslinking can undoubtedly enhance the stability of chiral superstructures, the concurrent strong constraining effect hinders the application of chirality-smart materials. To address this issue, we have made a first attempt at the reversible fixation of supramolecular chirality by introducing dynamic covalent crosslinking into the chiral self-assembly of side-chain polymers. After chiral induction, the reversible [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of the cinnamate group in the polymer chains can be further controlled by light to manipulate inter-chain crosslinking and decrosslinking. Based on this photo-programmable and dynamic chiral fixation strategy, a novel pattern-embedded storage mechanism of chiral polymeric materials was established for the first time.     

Chiral Derivatives of Achiral Molecules: Standard Classes and the Problem of a Right-Left Classification

Chemistry judging by its applications, physics according to its methods, and heavily reliant upon the tools of mathematics—that is what makes theoretical chemistry. And yet that is where its strength lies—in the variety of these sciences. It is quite natural that, in answer to specific problems, results and methods can sometimes be developed whose scope extends far beyond the original application. Rather it is a mark of quality if consequences can be found in chemistry and physics and the pathway leads via new mathematical procedures and concepts. Regrettably, any publication aiming to present such aspects will usually encounter little resonance since the linguistic confusion in science, its disciplines, and subdisciplines, lies like a veil over our understanding. The author nevertheless wishes to attempt to present, in a series of articles, results of research into chemical themes in a manner designed to appeal to the interest of chemists, without neglecting interdisciplinary aspects. All that is required to understand the argumentation is a lively interest. The first two articles are concerned with the chirality of molecules, and in particular with questions relating to the chirality phenomenon of molecules in the framework of molecular classes. In view of the algebraic nature of the mathematical methods adopted, it is not surprising that precise statements result. It appears of primary interest to establish the degree to which such statements can be considered valid for molecular models or molecules themselves.     

Construction of Supramolecular Chirality in Polymer Systems:Chiral Induction,Transfer and Application

Chirality, commonly found in organisms, biomolecules and nature such as L-amino acids and D-sugars, has been extensively studied in chemistry and biomedical science. Hence, the demand for simple and efficient construction of chiral structures, especially chiral polymers, has been rapidly growing due to their potential applications in chemosensors, asymmetric catalysis and biological materials. However, most chiral polymers reported are prepared directly from chiral monomers/chiral catalysts, the...     

基于芳香分子-糖类手性超分子组装体及功能

手性超分子组装体广泛存在于自然界中,因其在材料、化学和生物学等领域广阔的应用前景,引起了科学家们极大的兴趣。其中以糖类分子作为手性源,经分子自组装构筑手性超分子组装体的研究已成为超分子化学领域的研究热点之一。本文综述了基于糖类修饰的苝酰亚胺分子、偶氮苯分子、联苯类分子和卟啉类分子等芳香分子化合物经自组装构筑的手性超分子组装体,介绍了其在有机溶剂和水的混合溶剂、水中的凝胶性质,超分子手性特征和功能,糖分子类型与超分子组装体手性间的关系等,并对基于糖类的手性超分子组装体的前景进行了展望。     

C3 Symmetry in Asymmetric Catalysis and Chiral Recognition

Rotational symmetry can be an important factor in the design of highly selective receptors for chiral recognition. This is well known for C₂-symmetric compounds, but the concept can be extended to chiral compounds of higher symmetry such as 1 .     

Bacteria capture, concentration and detection by alternating current dielectrophoresis and self-assembly of dispersed single-wall carbon nanotubes

The high polarizability and dielectrophoretic mobility of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) are utilized to capture and detect low numbers of bacteria and submicron particles in milliliter-sized samples. Concentrated SWNT solutions are mixed with the sample and a high-frequency (>100 kHz) alternating current (AC) field is applied by a microelectrode array to enhance bulk absorption of the particles (bacteria and nanoparticle substitutes) by the SWNTs via dipole-dipole interaction. The same AC field then drives the SWNT-bacteria aggregates to the microelectrode array by positive-AC dielectrophoresis (DEP), with enhanced and reversed bacteria DEP mobility due to the attached SWNTs. Since the field frequency exceeds the inverse RC time of the electrode double layer, the AC field penetrates deeply into the bulk and across the electrode gap. Consequently, the SWNTs and absorbed bacteria assemble rapidly (<5 min) into conducting linear aggregates between the electrodes. Measured AC impedance spectra by the same trapping electrodes and fields show a detection threshold of 10(4) bacteria/mL with this pathogen trapping and concentration technique.     

Fabrication of Stable Chiral Polyaniline Nanocomposite‐Based Patterns

Summary: We report an artful method to form a stable pattern of chiral polyaniline nanocomposites (CPANs). It consists of the preparation of a diazoresin (DR)/poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) thin buffer layer on an Si substrate by self‐assembly, followed by the deposition of a multi‐layer film by spin‐assembly, leading to the formation of a (DR/PAA)₂DR/(CPAN/DR)_n film on the substrate. After selective exposure to UV light through a photomask and the development process, a defined pattern is formed.

Scanning electron microscopy image of the patterned (CPAN/DR)₅ thin film on Si wafer.     

有机分子在基底上的自组装及其在仿生材料合成中的应用

基底对有机分子的自组装有着重要的影响作用，有机分子不同的自组装方式在仿生材料合成，生物膜等方面有重要用途，本文综述了有机分子在不同基底上的自组装方式及其在仿生材料合成中的应用，并对有机分子的自组装方式的发展趋势及广阔应用前景作了进一步的展望。     

Chiral Triptycenes in Supramolecular and Materials Chemistry

Triptycenes are an intriguing class of organic molecules with several unusual characteristics, such as a propeller-like shape, saddle-like cavities around a symmetrical scaffold, a rigid π-framework. They have been extensively studied and proposed as key synthons for a variety of applications in supramolecular chemistry and materials science. When decorated with an appropriate substitution pattern, triptycenes can be chiral, and, similarly to other popular chiral π-extended synthons, can express chirality robustly, efficiently, and with relevance to chiroptical spectroscopies. This minireview highlights and encompasses recent advances in the synthesis of chiral triptycenes and in their introduction as molecular scaffolds for the assembly of functional supramolecular materials.     

Self-assembly Mechanism and Chiral Transfer in CuO Superstructures

Chiral inorganic superstructures have received considerable interest due to the chiral communication between inorganic compounds and chiral organic additives. However, the demanding fabrication and complex multilevel structure seriously hinder the understanding of chiral transfer and self-assembly mechanisms. Herein, we use chiral CuO superstructures as a model system to study the formation process of hierarchical chiral structures. Based on a simple and mild synthesis route, the time-resolved morphology and the in situ chirality evolution could be easily followed. The morphology evolution of the chiral superstructure involves hierarchical assembly, including primary nanoparticles, intermediate bundles, and superstructure at different growth stages. Successive redshifts and enhancements of the CD signal support chiral transfer from the surface penicillamine to the inorganic superstructure. Full-field electro-dynamical simulations reproduced the structural chirality and allowed us to predict its modulation. This work opens the door to a large family of chiral inorganic materials where chiral molecule-guided self-assembly can be specifically designed to follow a bottom-up chiral transfer pathway.     

手性N-苄氧甲酰基氨基酸芳基酯的合成及其生物活性

在三氯氧磷和吡啶的作用下,N-苄氧甲酰氨基酸和酚发生缩合反应生成了一系列N-苄氧甲酰氨基酸芳基酯(5和6),产率60.7%～76.9%,其结构经1H NMR,13C NMR和IR表征.初步的生物活性结果表明,5和6的杀虫活性较低.