Enantiomer discrimination using terahertz spectroscopy via formation of a diastereomer salt

This paper presents a new recognition method using terahertz (THz) spectroscopy. By forming a guest–host diastereomer with an optically active compound (host) as a chiral recogniser, the chirality of the enantiomer (guest) can be clearly discriminated according to its absorption spectra. In this proof-of-concept study, we examined a pair of host–guest (h–g) complexes made of (R)- or (S)-α-methylbenzylamine (guest) and cholic acid (host).