Theoretical Investigation into a Possibility of Formation of Propylene Oxide Homochirality in Space

The preferential synthesis or destruction of a single enantiomer by ultraviolet circularly polarized light (UV-CPL) has been proposed as a possible triggering mechanism for the extraterrestrial origin of homochirality. Herein, we investigate the photoabsorption property of propylene oxide (c-C3H6O) for UV-CPL in the Lyman-alpha region. Our calculations show that c-C3H6O was produced by CH3+ and CH3CH(OH)CH3 or C3H7 center dot and O (triplet). The computed electronic circular dichroism spectra show that c-C3H6O and the intermediate (CH3CH(OH)CH2+) could absorb the UV-CPL originating from the Lyman-alpha emitter spectrum, suggesting that the photolysis of c-C3H6O or CH3CH(OH)CH2+ upon irradiation could induce chiral symmetry breakage.

Automated summary

This study investigates the photoabsorption property of propylene oxide (c-C3H6O) for ultraviolet circularly polarized light (UV-CPL), and finds that it can absorb UV-CPL from the Lyman-alpha emitter spectrum, suggesting the possibility of inducing chiral symmetry breakage.