The stereochemistry of 1,4-dicarboxylic acids on Cu(110): Sergeants & soldiers, surface explosions and chiral reconstructions

Abstract

Dicarboxylic acids, including tartaric acid, have played a crucial role alongside amino acids in the study of chiral recognition on metal surfaces. Over the past two decades, significant insights into surface stereochemistry have emerged, particularly on Cu(110). This review examines various phenomena observed during the interaction of 1,4-dicarboxylic acids with the Cu(110) surface. We explore diverse aspects such as chiral surface reconstructions, intermolecular chiral recognition, stereoselective autocatalytic decomposition, and chiral symmetry breaking through doping.