Enantiospecific Adsorption of Chiral Molecules on Chiral Gold Clusters

TitleEnantiospecific Adsorption of Chiral Molecules on Chiral Gold Clusters
Publication TypePalaiseau Article
Short TitleEnantioselectivity on Chiral Gold Clusters
Lopez-Lozano, X, Pérez, LA, Garzón, IL
Year of Publication2006
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume97
Keywordspaper
Pagination233401
Abstract

 Enantioselectivity in gold clusters is investigated by studying the adsorption of a chiral amino acid (cysteine) on a chiral Au55 cluster using density functional calculations. The highest adsorption energies were found when the amino and thiolate functional groups of cysteine are bonded to the lowest coordinated edges of the chiral cluster. Enantiospecific adsorption is primarily obtained from the different bond location and strength, at the cluster edge, of the carboxyl groups forming the left- and right-handed enantiomers. These results provide theoretical support to convey enantioselectivity in asymmetric nanocatalysts using chiral gold clusters.

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