Direct determination of absolute configuration of monoalcohols by bis(magnesium porphyrin)

Ethane bridged bis(Mg porphyrin) has been found to be an effective sensor for the direct determination of the absolute configuration of a variety of monoalcohols at millimolar concentrations and room temperature based on the CD exciton chirality method. Examination of a variety of synthetic and natural monoalcohols, including alpha-substituted aliphatic and aromatic alkanols with one chiral center, as well as alicyclic alcohols with 2-5 chiral centers, gave consistent results. In the case of alcohols with multiple chiral centers, the absolute configuration of the carbon alpha to OH is always read out.