Prospects for circular dichroism detection of nonracemic extraterrestrial organic molecules

Enantiomer. 2001;6(2-3):181-8.

Abstract

The use of circular dichroism is examined as a probe for the detection of nonracemic analytes on spacecraft explorations such as a planned mission to Titan. Advances in both instrument design and chemistry will be required to make such a method practicable. The focus of this paper is on chemical agents able to amplify the circular dichroism signal, which would simplify instrument problems and increase sensitivity. A classic phenomenon known as the Pfeiffer effect provides a conceptual strategy to achieve the necessary aims for chirality detection. Recent examples of Pfeiffer-related phenomena are discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Circular Dichroism*
  • Copper / chemistry
  • Extraterrestrial Environment*

Substances

  • Copper