A Method for Separating Chiral Enantiomers by Enantiospecific Interaction with Ferromagnetic Substrates
Kakali Santra, Deb Kumar Bhowmick, Qirong Zhu, Tatyana Bendikov, Ron Naaman
Abstract
We present a method for enantioselective separation of a racemic mixture of thiolated molecules by applying ferromagnetic surfaces. Depending on the direction of the magnetization on the surface, up or down relative to the surface normal, one enantiomer is adsorbed and the other one is extracted. After an electric field is applied, the adsorbed enantiomer is released and collected. The same ferromagnetic surfaces can be used, in principle, for all thiolated chiral molecules; the method operates at low pressure and allows both enantiomers to be retrieved. Because the thiol group can be easily attached to many molecules, this method can be widely applied.
Topics & Concepts
EnantiomerFerromagnetismMoleculeAdsorptionMagnetizationEnantioselective synthesisMaterials scienceSurface (topology)ChemistryStereochemistryOrganic chemistryMagnetic fieldCondensed matter physicsPhysicsMathematicsGeometryCatalysisQuantum mechanicsMolecular Junctions and NanostructuresMass Spectrometry Techniques and ApplicationsSurface Chemistry and Catalysis