CHIRAL RECOGNITION IN MOLECULAR CLUSTERS

Abstract

Chiral Recognition was investigated via direct FTIR-spectroscopy in a supersonic expansion. Ragout-jet} and also Filet-jet} FTIR-spectroscopy are well-suited to distinguish between enantiopure and racemic molecule/rare gas expansions. The $\alpha$-hydroxyester methyl lactate shows an outstanding chiral recognition effect associated with specific self-aggregation }. The infrared $\nu_{OH}$ spectra will be analysed with the help of pressure dependence studies, argon coating and difference techniques. Additionally, a systematic study of analogues such as ethyl-, isopropyl- and \textit{tert}-butyl lactate ester, methyl glycolate, methyl $\alpha$-hydroxyisobutyrate, $\alpha$-hydroxyketones and mixed methyl lactate-methanol clusters will be presented. This study allows us to draw conclusions about the role of different functional groups involved in the intermolecular interactions of methyl lactate clusters. Preliminary quantum mechanical calculations reveal possible structures of methyl lactate aggregates.