Serine octamer metaclusters: formation, structure elucidation and implications for homochiral polymerization.

Abstract

Multiply charged serine metaclusters (composed of two or more homochiral octameric units) are generated by electrospray ionization, and their unique fused structures (hydrogen-bonded through the sticky ends of the drum-shaped octameric units) have been elucidated using tandem mass spectrometry experiments and molecular mechanics calculations.