3.04 - Chiral Molecules on Surfaces

Chiral molecules can modify surfaces in many ways. Long-range chiral structures can be induced by local chirality, which can act as templates stereo-directing other molecules. Such templates are either based on the arrangement of molecules alone or involve reconstruction of the substrate surface. Stereo-direction can also be achieved by direct local interaction between chiral molecules. Even the adsorption of achiral molecules onto achiral surfaces can induce local chirality due to a reduction of symmetry in the presence of the surface. Intrinsically chiral metal and oxide surfaces can act as templates for enantioselective adsorption and surface reactions without any surface modification.