Sep 20 – 25, 2026
University of Graz
Europe/Vienna timezone

Deracemization in 1,1ˈ- binaphthyl Thin Films and Electronic Circular Dichroism

Sep 24, 2026, 5:30 PM
15m
HS 12.01 (University of Graz)

HS 12.01

University of Graz

12 - Heizhaus, ground floor
3) Contributed talk OGD: Surfaces, Interfaces and Thin Films Parallel

Speaker

Sanjay John (Institute of Solid State Physics, Graz University of Technology, Austria)

Description

1,1ˈ-binaphthyl is an axially chiral molecule that crystallizes in either racemic phase, consisting of an equal number of both enantiomers in the unit cell or in a chiral phase where only one type of enantiomer is present. Thin film crystallization kinetics are strongly influenced by the presence of a solid substrate, where selective adsorption at the substrate–liquid interface promotes heterogeneous nucleation and complete chiral phase formation. This study further explores the deracemization of 1,1ˈ -binaphthyl through the influence of a chiral additive, 1,1ˈ-bi-2-naphthol. Structural characterization by Grazing Incidence XRD (GIXD) using synchrotron radiation confirms that thin films prepared by solution processing crystallize preferentially in the chiral phase. The extent of deracemization and enantioselectivity is further investigated using electronic circular dichroism (ECD). For the first time, the solid-state ECD spectra of 1,1ˈ-binaphthyl thin films are recorded using conventional ECD spectrometer and synchrotron-based Mueller Matrix Polarimetry (MMP). Since conventional ECD measurements cannot resolve intrinsic ECD from linear anisotropies such as linear dichroism (LD) and birefringence (LB), spatially resolved Mueller matrix polarimetry is employed to accurately extract true solid-state ECD. MMP mapping on the thin film samples reveals localized chiroptical responses within the 1,1ˈ-binaphthyl thin films, providing direct insight into enantioselective crystallization and spatially resolved chiral purity.

Author

Sanjay John (Institute of Solid State Physics, Graz University of Technology, Austria)

Co-authors

Dr Ann Maria James (Institute of Solid State Phyics, Graz University of Technology) Dr Giuliano Silligardi (B23 Beamline, Diamond Light Source) Oliver Werzer Roland Resel (Institute of Solid State Physics) Dr Tiberiu-Marius Gianga (B23 Beamline, Diamond Light Source) Yves Geerts (Free University of Brussels (ULB) & International Solvay Institutes)

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