Mirror symmetry breaking in micelles of N-stearoyl serine enantiomers

TL;DR

This study investigates how mirror symmetry breaking occurs in micelles formed by N-stearoyl serine enantiomers, revealing enantioselective interactions with water that influence their chiroptical properties.

Contribution

It demonstrates that water interactions, not contamination, cause symmetry breaking differences in micellar enantiomers, challenging previous assumptions about their thermodynamic behavior.

Findings

Enantiomers show different micelle formation kinetics in H2O.

Spectral similarities in D2O suggest water-specific effects.

Symmetry breaking depends on water interactions, not contamination.

Abstract

Abstract: Circular dichroism spectra were recorded for micellar aggregates of N-stearoyl (L or D) serine in H2O or D2O. Micelle formation kinetics differed markedly in H2O, but in D2O the enantiomers showed similar spectral characteristics. The results confirm previous observations (1) that described differences in the thermodynamic properties of enantiomers, in contrary to the reigning dogma. The comparison of spectral properties indicates that this phenomenon depends on the interactions with H2O and is not due to trivial contamination.