Resolution of racemic perfluorocarbons through self-assembly driven by electron donor-acceptor intermolecular recognition

The attractive intermolecular intel action between iodine or bromine atoms of perfluorocarbon halides and anions or heteroatomic sites of hydrocarbons is robust enough to overcome the low affinity between perfluorocarbons and hydrocarbons and to drive their molecular recognition directed self-assembly. This strong and specific intermolecular interaction can be readily exploited in the design and manipulation of molecular aggregation processes. From a preparative point of view, this recognition enabled the resolution of chiral perfluorocarbon derivatives.