Quantum mechanical considerations on the algebraic structure of central molecular chirality.
The chiral algebra of tetrahedral molecules, derived from Fischer's projections, is discussed in the framework of quantum mechanics. A "quantum chiral algebra" is obtained whose operators, acting as rotations or inversions, commute with the Hamiltonian of the system. It is shown that energy and chirality eigenstates are strictly related through the Heisenberg relations, while chirality operators "conserve" parity eigenstates.
Capozziello
Salvatore
S
Dipartimento di Fisica E.R. Caianiello, INFN sezione di Napoli, Università di Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy. capozziello@sa.infn.it
Lattanzi
Alessandra
A