Correlation between time reversal symmetry and chirality in certain molecular processes

Abstract

If a molecule is identified not only by its static spatial constructions, but also by the motions at the sub-molecular level, application of time reversal symmetry operation to a certain molecule could lead to another distinguishable from the original in the sense of sub-molecular motions, a phenomenon now defined as time reversal isomerism. Assessment of the consideration of certain enantiomers as distinguishable time reversal isomers is suggested in order to evoke a comprehensive interpretation of a likely correlation between the two types of isomerisms. The conceptual basis of a connection between absolute asymmetric synthesis under the influence of external fields and the intrinsic time reversal symmetry violation at the molecular level is also established to encourage new experimental investigations on this theme. Chirality 10:289–293, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.