Chiral selection on inorganic crystalline surfaces.
From synthetic drugs to biodegradable plastics to the origin of life, the chiral selection of molecules presents both daunting challenges and significant opportunities in materials science. Among the most promising, yet little explored, avenues for chiral molecular discrimination is adsorption on chiral crystalline surfaces - periodic environments that can select, concentrate and possibly even organize molecules into polymers and other macromolecular structures. Here we review experimental and theoretical approaches to chiral selection on inorganic crystalline surfaces - research that is poised to open this new frontier in understanding and exploiting surface-molecule interactions.
Hazen
Robert M
RM
Carnegie Institution of Washington and NASA Astrobiology Institute, 5251 Broad Branch Road NW, Washington DC 20015, USA. r.hazen@gl.ciw.edu
Sholl
David S
DS
D000327:Adsorption; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D003461:Crystallography / Q000379:methods*; D007287:Inorganic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry; D008903:Minerals / Q000737:chemistry; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013499:Surface Properties
D001704:Biopolymers; D007287:Inorganic Chemicals; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008670:Metals; D008903:Minerals