Heterogeneous Asymmetric Nanocluster-catalysis Design

Introduction

Chirality plays a major role in several areas due to the different behavior of each enantiomeric form of a compound, critical in the pharmaceutical industry. Obtaining pure enantiomers is one of the most difficult challenges, in which homogeneous asymmetric catalysis has achieved significant steps.

Heterogeneous Enantioselective Catalysis

Now it is time to undertake the challenge by heterogeneous enantioselective catalysis, implying great advantages in terms of sustainability. This approach offers further opportunities for in-depth understanding of mechanisms at the molecular level, relevant in multidisciplinary fields.

Requirements for Successful Design

However, successful design of such processes requires understanding and control of all relevant steps, which necessitates well-defined catalysts designed at the atomic level.

Atomically Precise Nanomaterials

A new class of atomically precise nanomaterials that offers ample opportunities to explore chirality at the fundamental level are the monolayer protected metal nanoclusters, which exhibit unexpected catalytic and intrinsically chiral properties.

Project Goals

The HAND project aims to tackle actual challenges in heterogeneous asymmetric catalysis and achieve enantioselectivity with chiral nanoclusters on surfaces designed at the atomic level.

1. After creating chiral clusters active in homogeneous asymmetric reactions, we will control their immobilization on the support surface and their chiral properties.
2. Such atomically precise chiral surfaces will allow us to overcome sensitivity barriers of available chiral spectroscopic techniques, improving studies of chirality at surfaces.
3. Finally, having a well-defined chiral surface, asymmetric/enantioselective model reactions will be explored, aiming to obtain pure enantiomers.

Significance of the Research

Each process step by itself represents a novel pioneering work in the field of nanoclusters and asymmetric catalysis, so far mostly unexplored. The fabrication and understanding of such a new class of chiral surfaces at the atomic level represent a breakthrough in knowledge relevant for materials science, nanotechnology, and medicine.