Selective chiral recognition of achiral species in nanoclay coassemblies

Abstract

How to sense and recognize achiral organic molecules using chiroptical responses are rather challenging and have not been well addressed so far. In this work, N-terminal aromatic amino acids were conjugated to the surface of nanoclay noncovalently, providing chiral environments to trap guest molecules. It allowed for the selective chiral recognition of achiral dyes using diversified chiroptical responses. Halogen bonding played key role in the emergence of chiral molecular arrangements with synergistic coassembly effect.