Intrinsically chiral thermoresponsive assemblies from achiral clusters: enhanced luminescence and optical activity through tailor-made chiral additives.

Chiral metal clusters, due to their intriguing optical properties and unique resemblance in size to biomolecules, have attracted a lot of attention in recent times as potential candidates for application in bio-detection and therapy. While several strategies are reported for the synthesis of optically active clusters, a facile approach that enhances a multitude of properties has remained a challenge. Herein, we report a simple strategy wherein the use of a chiral cationic surfactant, during the synthesis of achiral clusters, leads to the fabrication of chiral assemblies possessing enhanced luminescence and optical activity.

Chiroptically active copper clusters as platform for enantioselective detection of lysine.

Metal clusters have drawn considerable research attention over the years due to their fascinating optical properties. Owing to their appealing photophysical characteristics, these materials have drawn attention as potential candidates for various application in diverse fields, including disease detection, biosensing, chemical sensing, and the fabrication of light-harvesting materials. Presently, there is an increasing research focus on the use of clusters in biomedical research, both as biodetection platform and as bioimaging agents.