Project description
Chiral recognition dynamics revealed by ultrafast light sources
Chiral recognition is the ability of chiral molecules to differentiate between left- and right-handed partners, called enantiomers. It is a crucial property to understand enantioselectivity in chemistry. Advanced laser imaging techniques are needed to study chiral recognition dynamics on a femtosecond timescale, but the absence of suitable technologies has hindered research progress. The ERC-funded KEBAB project aims to examine chiral recognition in real time. It will develop revolutionary ultrafast light sources, combined with innovative methods, that enable high chirality sensitivity. The project’s goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics that influence chiral recognition and to explore how the joint motion of electrons and nuclei at ultrafast timescales can be utilised for photochemical control and the manipulation of molecular chirality.
Objective
Chiral recognition is the ability of a chiral molecule to discriminate between the two enantiomeric forms of another chiral molecule. An important question is how do intermolecular interactions contribute to high enantioselectivity in several natural and synthetic processes that are key in biochemistry, asymmetric drug and polymer synthesis and analytical chemistry, for example. This enantioselectivity results from thermodynamic and kinetic considerations, but little is known about the dynamic nature of intermolecular interactions at the molecular level. Capturing the time evolution of chiral recognition requires laser imaging techniques that can trace atomic and electronic motions at the few femtosecond (10-15 s) timescale, both of which are essential for understanding chemical bonding. However, there is a lack of laser-driven technologies capable of directly measuring intermolecular chiral dynamics with sufficient time resolution and sensitivity.
The objective of KEBAB is the investigation of chiral recognition between chiral molecules in real-time, enabled by the development of next-generation ultrafast light sources to be combined with experimental methods that are highly sensitive to chirality.
Pressing questions about the dynamic evolution of chiral recognition will be answered such as: i) what are the mechanisms which allow chiral molecules to dynamically recognize each other? ii) how does a molecule transfer chirality to an achiral molecule? and iii) can we use electronic currents as chiral-sensitive forces on the nuclei to influence the enantioselectivity of the interactions in chiral recognition? KEBAB will provide a deep understanding on the dynamics influencing chiral recognition and on how the joint electron and nuclear motion at ultrafast timescales can be exploited for photochemical control. The results of this project will provide important and fundamental information to the many fields of science that rely on molecular chirality.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
22607 Hamburg
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.