Work

Mechanism of Chirality Conversion by Grinding Crystals: Ostwald Ripening vs Crystallization of Chiral Clusters

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: It has been found that the simple grinding of crystals in a solution causes the conversion of the chiral structure of crystals and, in the case of organic molecules, the resultant conversion of molecular chirality. In order to clarify the mechanism of the chirality conversion, we study the change in the size distribution of chiral clusters in a Becker-D¨oring type model, in which chiral dimer reaction and grinding are implemented. In the absence of grinding, Ostwald ripening may cause chirality conversion if the initial size distribution is appropriate. With grinding crystals, the crystallization of chiral clusters causes an exponential amplification of the initial chiral imbalance resulting in a homochiral state. During chirality conversion, the total size distribution does not change.

Source: Journal of the Physical Society of Japan

DOI: 10.1143/jpsj.78.023601

Authors: Makio Uwaha, Hiroyasu Katsuno

Institution: Nagoya University

Language: English

Topic: Crystallization and Solubility Studies

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Award: Theoretical Study on the Amplification Mechanisms of Symmetry Breaking in Crystal Growth