Macrocyclic Chiral Two-Dimensional Membranes for Enantiomers Separation

Abstract

Chiral enantiomers, while typically exhibiting similar physical and chemical properties, often have distinct therapeutic effects. The preparation of pure enantiomers is therefore of significant interest in the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries, making the separation of enantiomers highly sought after. Membrane separation technology has garnered widespread attention for its environmental friendliness and scalability. Recently, chiral two-dimensional (2D) membranes have demonstrated superior separation performance due to their ultrathin nature and orderly transmission channels. Macrocyclic chiral 2D membranes, in particular, combine the inherent cavity structure of macrocyclic molecules with the host-guest interaction capabilities that specifically recognize chiral molecules. Additionally, they benefit from the excellent chemical stability and adjustable interlayer spacing of 2D materials. This combination allows these membranes to achieve high enantioselectivity while improving flux. By optimizing the trade-off between flux and enantioselectivity, this strategy offers a promising new approach for developing advanced chiral membranes.