Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation

    Control of chiral symmetry breaking: Interplay between achiral reactant concentration and diffusive asymmetries

    Jean Gillet, Laurence Rongy*, and Yannick De Decker†

    • *Contact author: Laurence.Rongy@ulb.be
    • †Contact author: Yannick.De.Decker@ulb.be

    Phys. Rev. E 113, 035409 – Published 11 March, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/y85r-4vgp

    Abstract

    Chiral environments can bias the diffusion of enantiomers, a phenomenon known as chiral diffusive asymmetry (CDA). Such asymmetry provides a potential route to chiral symmetry breaking (CSB), a central process in deracemization and the emergence of homochirality. Here, we combine a Kondepudi-type reaction scheme with reaction-diffusion simulations to demonstrate that CDA, when coupled to a spatially nonuniform concentration of an achiral precursor, can induce CSB even in the absence of an initial enantiomeric excess. The resulting handedness is determined by the precursor distribution, providing a control parameter that is more experimentally accessible than diffusion asymmetry itself. We identify a mechanism in which CSB arises through the nucleation and growth of chiral domains, fueled by the mean precursor concentration and guided by its gradient. We further show that a linear relation captures the balance between CDA and precursor distribution, enabling predictive control of CSB.

    Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

    Authorization Required

    We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.

    References (Subscription Required)

    Outline

    Information

    Sign In to Your Journals Account

    Filter

    Filter

    Article Lookup

    Enter a citation