Comments on Molecular Chirality in Classical Spacetime: Solving the Controversy about the Spinning Cone Model of Rotating Molecules

A recent mathematical analysis by Michel Petijean aimed at solving the Barron/Mislow controversy concerning the chirality or otherwise of a non-translating spinning cone concluded that both are right: the controversy is a matter of an arbitrary choice of a conversion factor. This reassessment highlights the different physicochemical properties of a stationary spinning cone and a chiral molecule and concludes that Petitjean's analysis is misleading.

Automated summary

The recent mathematical analysis by Michel Petijean concluded that the Barron/Mislow controversy over the chirality of a non-translating spinning cone is a matter of an arbitrary choice of a conversion factor. This reassessment highlights the different physicochemical properties of a stationary spinning cone and a chiral molecule, leading to the conclusion that Petitjean's analysis is misleading.