Chiral surfactants: Design, aggregation behaviors and applications

Chiral surfactants represent a class of amphiphilic compounds characterized by hydrophilic headgroups and hydrophobic tails, coupled with one or several chiral centers within their molecular structures. Beyond possessing typical surfactant properties, they exhibit inherent asymmetry. Their aggregation behaviors and self-assembled structures can be effectively modulated by substituting chiral groups or introducing functional groups at the chiral center. Numerous endeavors have been undertaken to craft chiral surfactants with sophisticated physicochemical properties and burgeoning applications. This review delves into the aggregation behaviors of chiral surfactants sourced from various origins and possessing different molecular structures, with a focus on key parameters including headgroup, spacer and counterion. Moreover, applications of these multifunctional chiral surfactants are summarized across several active domains, including chiral recognition, enantiomer separation, asymmetric catalysis and the synthesis of chiral nanomaterials. Finally, it outlines perspectives and future challenges associated with chiral surfactants, highlighting avenues for further exploration and advancement in this field.