Precise Detection, Control and Synthesis of Chiral Compounds at Single-Molecule Resolution

Abstract

Highlights Single-molecule electrical detection, especially the single-molecule junction setup, enables the precise detection and spatial operability of anchored molecules. The transition among asymmetric characteristics (i.e., molecular chirality, photonic polarization and electronic spin) is proposed as a universal methodology to realize the detection, control and synthesis of chirality. Exploring the origin of symmetry breaking contributes to the development of a general reliable strategy for asymmetric synthesis.

Keywords

• Single-molecule junction
• Molecular chirality
• Photonic polarization
• Electronic spin
• Asymmetric reaction