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The chemical synthesis of chiral molecules yields a racemic mixture. That is an equal mixture of two molecules (L and D) with identical physical properties, but which are non-superposable on their mirror image. Living systems by contrast synthesize and use predominantly one form. Regarding amino acids, it is the L-form. A possible origin of this homochirality involves a two-step process, namely symmetry breaking and amplification. Whereas some mechanisms for symmetry breaking have been reported, most amplification processes are not prebiotically relevant.[1,2]
In this work we want to amplify a small excess of amino acid in solution by activation with primitive chemistry.[3] When activated, the amino acid in excess crystallizes by exceeding a crystallization threshold. Because the lower excess amino acid stays in solution, it is easy to separate them by filtration. Our preliminary data shows the reversible crystallization of Boc-L-aspartic acid, an amino acid derivative. In future we focus on the crystallization behaviour of a racemic mixture. We want to test some prerequisites like the formation of conglomerates. That is crystals containing only the L- or D-form. Further we plan to examine various conditions affecting crystallization, whis is pH, temperature and concentration.
[1] Nat. 389, 265-268 (1997)
[2] Chem. Soc. Rev. 44, 6723-6732 (2015)
[3] Nat. Commun. 8, 15895 (2017)
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