Chiral Phonons in Biocrystals

Chiral phonons are concerted mirror-symmetric movements of atomic groups connected by covalent and intermolecular bonds. Finding chiral phonons in biocrystals is fundamentally and technologically important because these lattice vibrations should be highly specific to their short- and long-range organizations. Based on theoretical and experimental data they might be expected but not identified or utilized. Here we show that terahertz chiroptical spectroscopy enables registration and attribution of chiral phonons in microcrystals of numerous amino acids and dipeptides. Theoretical analysis and computer simulations confirm that sharp mirror-symmetric bands observed for left and right enantiomers originate from collective vibrations of biomolecules interconnected by hydrogen bonds into helical chains. Structure-property relationships for strong phonons with rotatory components in biocrystals were also identified. Bladder stones and health supplements display strong spectral signatures of chiral phonons indicating their immediate importance for biomedicine.

Chiroptical spectroscopy of a freely diffusing single nanoparticle

Chiral plasmonic nanoparticles can exhibit strong chiroptical signals compared to the corresponding molecular response. Observations are, however, generally restricted to measurements on stationary single particles with a fixed orientation, which complicates the spectral analysis. Here, we report the spectroscopic observation of a freely diffusing single chiral nanoparticle in solution. By acquiring time-resolved circular differential scattering signals we show that the spectral interpretation is significantly simplified. We experimentally demonstrate the equivalence between time-averaged chiral spectra observed for an individual nanostructure and the corresponding ensemble spectra, and thereby demonstrate the ergodic principle for chiroptical spectroscopy. We also show how it is possible for an achiral particle to yield an instantaneous chiroptical response, whereas the time-averaged signals are an unequivocal measure of chirality. Time-resolved chiroptical spectroscopy on a freely moving chiral nanoparticle advances the field of single-particle spectroscopy, and is a means to obtain the true signature of the nanoparticle’s chirality.

Thin Films of Homochiral Metal–Organic Frameworks for Chiroptical Spectroscopy and Enantiomer Separation

Chiral nanoporous solids are a fascinating class of materials, allowing efficient enantiomer separation. Here, we review the status, applications, and potential of thin films of homochiral metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Combining the advantages of MOFs, whose well-defined, crystalline structures can be rationally tuned, with the benefits of thin films enables new opportunities for the characterization of the enantioselectivity, e.g., via chiroptical spectroscopy and straightforward molecular uptake quantifications. By incorporating photoresponsive molecules in the chiral MOF films, the enantioselectivity of the material can be dynamically remote-controlled. The most promising application of MOF films is their use as membranes, where the enantioselective separation of chiral molecules is demonstrated and parameters for further improvements are discussed.