Investigating the Enantioselectivity of Alanine on a Chiral Cu{421}R Surface

• DOI: 10.1021/jp207847j
• Publication Date: 2012-04-04T17:06:13Z
• Authors: Lars Thomsen; Anton Tadich; Daniel P. Riley; Bruce C. C. Cowie; Michael J. Gladys
• Keywords: Overlayer; Alanine; Low-energy electron diffraction

Saturated chemisorbed layers of d- and l-alanine amino acids were adsorbed onto a chiral Cu{421}R surface. Very little enantioselectivity was observed in the HR-XPS thermal desorption; however, there large difference dissociation products left on surface between two enantiomers. NEXAFS spectroscopy also exhibited only minor differences molecular adsorption enantiomer layers; low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) images revealed significant structure layers. d-alanine forms p(2 × 3) overlayer while combination p(1 2) faceted steps oriented [−110] direction. Intermolecular bonding steric effects play role these stereoselective by maximizing hydrogen molecules. This study clearly shows that single tests are not adequate to ascertain true enantioselective properties given system.