Research

Our research centres on chirality and chiral recognition. Specifically, we are interested in (i) quantifying how intermolecular forces come together in a stereo-specific way to enable a chiral molecule to recognize and to discriminate one enantiomer from the other, (ii) determining the conformation and absolute configuration of chiral molecules, and (iii) probing and modelling solvent effects in chiroptical measurements.

We design and construct our own highly specialized instruments such as cw cavity ring down and cavity enhanced absorption spectrometers based on lead salt diode lasers and quantum cascade lasers, and a rapid scanning direct absorption spectrometer with an astigmatic multi-path cell. We also utilize advance analytical instruments such as a Fourier transform vibrational circular dichroism spectrometer to develop new strategies to investigate chiral phenomena in solution and in thin films.

The following is a list of current projects:

High resolution spectroscopic and ab initio studies of chiral recognition
(a) Jet cooled vibrational and rotational spectroscopic characterization of chiral recognition

(b) ab initio studies of chiral discrimination landscapes

(c) Spectroscopic instrument developments based on lead salt diode lasers and quantum cascade lasers:
Mid-infrared cavity ring down and cavity enhanced spectroscopy
Rapid scan infrared spectrometer

Vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy of chiral molecules in solution and in thin film
(a) VCD and DFT investigations of solvent effects

(b) Absolute configurations of carbohydrates

(c) Molecular dynamics simulations of chiroptical measurements in solution
(d) Matrix isolation VCD spectroscopy