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How to determine the handedness of a chiral molecule

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Abstract

When reaching a certain level of complexity, molecules can have a chiral structure. This is similar to our hands, which also exist in a right and a left version. As the molecules have the same physical properties (density, melting point etc.) determination of the two species poses major challenges even today to chemists. Many indirect methods have been developed therefore with more or less drawbacks. An intense femtosecond laser pulse was used to remove many electrons (≥4) from the molecule, resulting in a Coloumb Explosion of the molecules fragments. The momentum imaging technology of COLTRIMS (cold target recoil ion momentum spectroscopy) was employed to measure the momentum vector of each emitted fragment (ion and electron) in coincidence. The show case example of racemic CHBrClF will be presented, the fragmentation dynamics discussed and the chiral distinction illustrated. Furthermore the perspectives on larger molecules will be discussed.

© 2014 Optical Society of America

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