Journal article

Publication year: 2018

Pages: 2420-

Journal: Nature Communications

Volume number: 9

ISSN: 2041-1723

Open access status: Gold

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-04843-z

Publisher: Nature Research

Abstract: 
Deciphering absolute configuration of a single molecule by direct visual inspection is the next step in compound identification, with far-reaching implications for medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and natural product synthesis. We demonstrate the feasibility of this approach utilizing low temperature atomic force microscopy (AFM) with a CO-functionalized tip to determine the absolute configuration and orientation of a single, adsorbed [123] tetramantane molecule, the smallest chiral diamondoid. We differentiate between single enantiomers on Cu(111) by direct visual inspection, and furthermore identify molecular dimers and molecular clusters. The experimental results are confirmed by a computational study that allowed quantification of the corresponding intermolecular interactions. The unique toolset of absolute configuration determination combined with AFM tip manipulation opens a route for studying molecular nucleation, including chirality-driven assembly or reaction mechanisms.

Harvard Citation style: Ebeling, D., Sekutor, M., Stiefermann, M., Tschakert, J., Dahl, J., Carlson, R., et al. (2018) Assigning the absolute configuration of single aliphatic molecules by visual inspection, Nature Communications, 9, p. 2420. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-04843-z

APA Citation style: Ebeling, D., Sekutor, M., Stiefermann, M., Tschakert, J., Dahl, J., Carlson, R., Schirmeisen, A., & Schreiner, P. (2018). Assigning the absolute configuration of single aliphatic molecules by visual inspection. Nature Communications. 9, 2420. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-04843-z