Mechanistic Dissymmetry between Crystal Growth and Dissolution Drives Ratcheted Chiral Amplification
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Complete chiral amplification of the solid phase arises when mixtures of self-sorting enantiopure crystals undergo cycles of crystal growth and dissolution under solution-phase racemizing conditions. However, despite extensive studies and widespread use, the mechanism underlying such crystallization-induced deracemization remains insufficiently understood, hindering its optimization and broader application. Here, we experimentally dissect the individual contributions of crystal growth and dissolution and use a mass-balance to expose crystal dynamics. Regardless of the racemization rate, we always find a dissymmetry between the growth and the dissolution of the enantiomer populations. These experiments suggest that a fundamental difference between the mechanisms of crystal growth and dissolution enables a ratchet effect that drives chiral amplification. These insights advance our understanding of chiral crystallization mechanisms and provide guidance for optimizing crystallization-induced deracemizations, particularly by separately optimizing growth and dissolution steps to maximize the chiral amplification and deracemization efficiency.
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c12199
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Funders: Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology, European Commission, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Conseil Régional de Haute Normandie, Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Région Normandie, H2020 European Research Council, HORIZON EUROPE European Innovation Council
OpenAlex ID: W4414958773