Bio-inspired enantioseparation for chiral compounds

Biomacromolecules including protein and nucleic acids are considered as promising chiral selectors in the fields of enantioselective separation, owing to their inherent chirality, polymorphous structures, stable physicochemical properties, good biocompatibility as well as susceptible modification and regulation. In this review, firstly, enantioselective recognition mechanism of proteins and nucleic acids toward different enantiomers is discussed, as well as their potential applications on the chiral separation of racemic compounds. Secondly, preparative enantioseparation adopting biomolecule-modified hybrid materials including porous microspheres, magnetic nanoparticles and affinity membranes, are introduced respectively. Finally, novel chiroptical materials constructed on the basis of chiral induction, transfer, amplification and transcription, are recognized as promising candidates in future applications.