Spoilt for choice: assessing phase behavior models for the evolution of homochirality

Abstract

The observation of single chirality in biological systems has intrigued scientists for more than one hundred years. Here we discuss several recent experimental studies showing amplification of enantiomeric excess based on amino acid phase behavior. Comparing observations of solution–solid and gas–solid phase transitions highlights the underlying fundamental physical chemistry principles that rationalize the observed enantioenrichment in both cases.