Slow kinetic evolution of nanohelices based on gemini surfactant self-assemblies with various enantiomeric excess; chiral segregation towards a racemic mixture

Abstract

Very slow kinetic evolution (days) of chiral nanoribbons based on amphiphilic molecular assemblies is investigated for various enantiomeric excess. In the early stage of ribbon formation, those formed for low enantiomeric excess (0 ≤ ee ≤ 0.5) show chiral segregation, and are made with a mixture of short-pitched right-handed and left-handed twisted ribbons. With time, these nano-ribbons merge to form ribbons with larger pitch and single-handedness, which is determined by the majority enantiomer.