Asymmetric interactions in gas phase clusters

Molecular clusters are non covalent aggregates recognized as a new state of matter. whose properties are neither those of the gas-phase isolated partners nor those of their condensed phases. Molecular clusters have proved to be ideal systems for modeling molecular recognition phenomena, and their applications in many scientific fields interlocking the physical and life sciences are now well assessed In the last few years. it has become possible. through the use of advanced laser techniques. to study the single interactions acting between individual components of a cluster without the influence of the solvent The studies were carried out developing laser spectroscopic methodologies. capable of characterizing molecular clusters and probing the chemical bond breaking and forming on an extremely short time scale. This contribution deals with chiral recognition of molecules and clusters of biological interest in the gas phase through the application of the laser resolved mass spectrometric Resonant Two Photon Ionization technique (R2PI). The measurement of the spectroscopic shifts and of the fragmentation thresholds of diasteromeric clusters allows the determination of the nature of the interactions which control the formation of biological material and affect their stability and reactivity.