Spontaneous Resolution of Chiral Molecules at a Metal Surface in 2D Space

in many cases, surfaces which are by nature achiral can achieve a chiral structure. This is a fundamental point, as numerous catalytic processes occur at a metal surface. The design of such surfaces is therefore of considerable importance in the understanding of metal-catalysed asymmetric synthesis and in the resulting applications. 

2 Spontaneous Resolution of Chiral Molecules at a Metal Surface in 2D Space 

1 4-[trans-2-(pyrid-4-vinyl)] Benzoic Acid (PVBA) (6.88) on a Surface of Ag (111) 

PVBA is a planar conjugated molecule which exists in the form of two enantiomers ((5) and (2) in the plane in which it lies. On a surface of Ag (111) PVBA is adsorbed parallel 

ID-supramolecular PVBA (6.88) twinned chains on the Ag (111) surface. The spontaneous resolution leads to enantiomorphic domains. The chains run along the [ll-2]-direction of the Ag-lattice. 

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