The homo-chirality of basic biological molecules such as amino acids and sugars, as one of the biggest puzzles in understanding the origin of life, is still not clearly understood1-5. A few sketchy theories have been developed to explain how homo-chirality originated, was amplified in macromolecules and supramolecular assemblies, and was transmitted to other biomolecules/assemblies during the evolution of life2, 6. This process certainly involves recognition and competition between the enantiomers during their organization into supramolecular structures7, 8. Herein, we report the chiral recognition and chiral selection during the self-assembly process of two enantiomeric wheel-shaped macroanions, [Fe28(µ3-O)8(Tart)16(HCOO)24]20- (Tart = D- or L-tartaric acid) via counter-ion mediated interactions. The enantiomers are observed to remain strictly self-sorted and self-assemble into their individual single-layer spherical assemblies (‘blackberry’ structures9, 10) in their racemic mixture solution. The addition of chiral co-anions can selectively suppress the self-assembly process of one type of enantiomeric macroanions while promoting the other one. This leads to the separation of two enantiomers from their mixtures. This study suggests that delicate long-range electrostatic interactions could be responsible for such high-level chiral recognition and selection.

Chiral recognition and selection during the self-assembly process of protein-mimic macroanions: The effect of long-range electrostatic interactions

249th National Meeting (2015)

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