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Chirality transfer from a 3D macro shape to the molecular level by controlling asymmetric secondary flows

Author

Listed:
  • Semih Sevim

    (Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich
    Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich)

  • Alessandro Sorrenti

    (Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich
    University of Barcelona (UB)
    University of Barcelona (UB))

  • João Pedro Vale

    (Engineering Faculty of Porto University, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias
    Engineering Faculty of Porto University, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias)

  • Zoubir El-Hachemi

    (University of Barcelona (UB))

  • Salvador Pané

    (Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich)

  • Andreas D. Flouris

    (University of Thessaly)

  • Tiago Sotto Mayor

    (Engineering Faculty of Porto University, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias
    Engineering Faculty of Porto University, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias)

  • Josep Puigmartí-Luis

    (University of Barcelona (UB)
    University of Barcelona (UB)
    Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA))

Abstract

Homochirality is a fundamental feature of living systems, and its origin is still an unsolved mystery. Previous investigations showed that external physical forces can bias a spontaneous symmetry breaking process towards deterministic enantioselection. But can the macroscopic shape of a reactor play a role in chiral symmetry breaking processes? Here we show an example of chirality transfer from the chiral shape of a 3D helical channel to the chirality of supramolecular aggregates, with the handedness of the helical channel dictating the direction of enantioselection in the assembly of an achiral molecule. By combining numerical simulations of fluid flow and mass transport with experimental data, we demonstrated that the chiral information is transferred top-down thanks to the interplay between the hydrodynamics of asymmetric secondary flows and the precise spatiotemporal control of reagent concentration fronts. This result shows the possibility of controlling enantioselectively molecular processes at the nanometer scale by modulating the geometry and the operating conditions of fluidic reactors.

Suggested Citation

  • Semih Sevim & Alessandro Sorrenti & João Pedro Vale & Zoubir El-Hachemi & Salvador Pané & Andreas D. Flouris & Tiago Sotto Mayor & Josep Puigmartí-Luis, 2022. "Chirality transfer from a 3D macro shape to the molecular level by controlling asymmetric secondary flows," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-29425-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29425-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jiashu Sun & Yike Li & Fusheng Yan & Chao Liu & Yutao Sang & Fei Tian & Qiang Feng & Pengfei Duan & Li Zhang & Xinghua Shi & Baoquan Ding & Minghua Liu, 2018. "Control over the emerging chirality in supramolecular gels and solutions by chiral microvortices in milliseconds," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Jisung Kim & Jinhee Lee & Woo Young Kim & Hyungjun Kim & Sanghwa Lee & Hee Chul Lee & Yoon Sup Lee & Myungeun Seo & Sang Youl Kim, 2015. "Induction and control of supramolecular chirality by light in self-assembled helical nanostructures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-8, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuanzhi Xia & Semih Sevim & João Pedro Vale & Johannes Seibel & David Rodríguez-San-Miguel & Donghoon Kim & Salvador Pané & Tiago Sotto Mayor & Steven Feyter & Josep Puigmartí-Luis, 2022. "Covalent transfer of chemical gradients onto a graphenic surface with 2D and 3D control," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.

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