I-005

Sara Grecchi

sara.grecchi@unimi.it

Serena Arnaboldi

Department of Chemistry, University of Milan, Italy

Wireless Electroassisted Chiral Resolution with Miniaturized Tubular Devices

This work introduces a novel approach to chiral separation using wirelessly controlled miniaturized tubular devices. These devices integrate an external polypyrrole layer with an inner core composed of inherently chiral oligomers. The synergy between the electromechanical pumping of the outer structure and the enantioselective affinity of the inner material enables their function as miniaturized chiral columns.

Wireless actuation is achieved through bipolar electrochemistry: applying an external electric field induces a polarization potential difference across the device, triggering oxidation and reduction reactions. These redox processes lead to the release and uptake of cations, resulting in localized swelling and shrinking that drives a unidirectional pumping effect, according to the Bernoulli’s principle. The enantioselective separation occurs through favorable and unfavorable diastereomeric interactions between the chiral analytes and the chiral oligomers comprising the inner layer.   

The devices effectively separate racemic and enantioenriched solutions of model chiral analytes, as well as complex mixtures of chiral probes. These findings highlight their potential as a rapid and ex situ alternative to traditional chromatographic methods, opening new avenues for miniaturized and on-site enantioseparations.

This work has been funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under the HORIZON-ERC-2021 work program (grant agreement no 101040798, ERC Starting grant CHEIR).