{
  "abstract": "Biological systems selectively use chiral molecules, such as L-amino acids and D-sugars, to construct single-handed helical structures including proteins, collagen, and DNA. Reproducing such handedness selection using synthetic systems remains a major challenge because achiral molecules generally form racemic helices. Here, we show that supramolecular halogen-bonded complexes assembled entirely from achiral molecular components spontaneously form either left- or right-handed helices. Structural analysis reveals that helix formation is driven by cooperative hydrogen-bonding interactions within the halogen-bonded assemblies, while their handedness is determined solely by the solvent. Remarkably, homochiral helices emerge without the need for chiral catalysts, chiral solvents, or other external chiral influences. These findings provide experimental evidence for spontaneous symmetry breaking in an achiral molecular system and offer a simple platform for exploring the origins of homochirality.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Chemistry",
    "University of Jyväskylä"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 1,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Rakesh Puttreddy",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-2221-526X"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8d7vqnbhsee77.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.26434/chemrxiv.15010799/v1",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "8d7vqnbhsee77",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15010799/v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1605|Supramolecular Chemistry and Complexes"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223171583",
  "pdf_url": "https://chemrxiv.org/doi/pdf/10.26434/chemrxiv.15010799/v1",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-21",
  "publisher": "American Chemical Society (ACS)",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8d7vqnbhsee77.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:24Z",
      "native_id": "10.26434/chemrxiv.15010799",
      "source": "chemrxiv",
      "url": "https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15010799/v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "chemistry",
      "origin": "openalex:1605|Supramolecular Chemistry and Complexes",
      "subfield": "organic"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Spontaneous Emergence of Homochiral Halogen-bonded Helices from Achiral Components",
  "title_text": "Spontaneous Emergence of Homochiral Halogen-bonded Helices from Achiral Components",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:24Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8d7vqnbhsee77",
  "venue": "ChemRxiv",
  "versions": []
}