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Analysis Of A Chemical Model System Leading To Chiral Symmetry Breaking: Implications For The Evolution Of Homochirality, Brandy N. Morneau, Jaclyn M. Kubala, Carl Barratt, Pauline Schwartz
Analysis Of A Chemical Model System Leading To Chiral Symmetry Breaking: Implications For The Evolution Of Homochirality, Brandy N. Morneau, Jaclyn M. Kubala, Carl Barratt, Pauline Schwartz
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Faculty Publications
Explaining the evolution of a predominantly homochiral environment on the early Earth remains an outstanding challenge in chemistry. We explore here the mathematical features of a simple chemical model system that simulates chiral symmetry breaking and amplification towards homochirality. The model simulates the reaction of a prochiral molecule to yield enantiomers via interaction with an achiral surface. Kinetically, the reactions and rate constants are chosen so as to treat the two enantiomeric forms symmetrically. The system, however, incorporates a mechanism whereby a random event might trigger chiral symmetry breaking and the formation of a dominant enantiomer; the non-linear dynamics of …