Spontaneous Formation of Chirality in J-Aggregates Showing Davydov Splitting

摘要

The origin of optical activity on earth continues to be a main topic of interest in science. In the absence of chiral auxiliaries or applied external forces, all known synthetic procedures yield racemates, 1:1 mixtures of the enantiomers, in accordance with the principle of parity. Thus, the existence of a multitude of optically active compounds in the biosphere is hard to understand. Processes leading to spontaneous formation of chirality. besides mechanisms such as surface-controlled catalysis withenantiomorphic crystals, are thought to be responsible. Famous examples are the crystallisation of 1,1'-binaphthyl and sodium chlorate.