Anion photoelectron circular dichroism of chiral metal cluster complexes

• Applicant: Dr. André Fielicke
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry
• Term: from 2016 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 291513023

The goal of the studies is to investigate the photoelectron circular dichroism of chiral anionic molecules and metal cluster complexes. Chiral metal clusters form the opportunity for stereo-selective chemical transformations, e.g. asymmetric hydrogenations. However, when produced in the gas-phase, always racemic mixtures of clusters are formed and so far there has been no direct detection of the chirality of free metal clusters. The study of circular dichroism of photoelectrons emitted from anionic chiral metal cluster complexes shall give information on the absolute configuration of these metal cluster complexes formed by reaction of clusters with chiral molecules. We aim to investigate how the ligand can imprint the chirality onto the metal clusters, e.g. small gold clusters. Further, cold molecular anions of amino acids will be characterized in a proof-of-principle study.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants