Molecular Physics seminar

Chirality and molecular recognition

by Prof. Mats Larsson (Fysikum, Stockholms universitet)

Europe/Stockholm
FA31

FA31

Description
The origin of homochirality in life is an unsolved problem. Likewise, the mechanism for chiral recognition is far from understood. The first problem represents the "last symmetry frontier", whereas a solution of the second problem would allow researchers to predict which selector would best separate enantiomers of chiral compounds, something which would be of enormous practical importance. We have started experiments involving solvent-free interaction between chiral projectiles and chiral and achiral targets in a physics approach to the second problem. These experiments will be described in the talk.