Deracemization of an axially chiral biphenylic derivative as a tool for investigating chiral recognition in self-assemblies.

Two diastereomeric cationic surfactants derived from L-proline, in which the second chiral center is a quaternary nitrogen, have been separated and fully characterized. The recognition properties of the aggregates formed by the two diastereomeric surfactants have been investigated by circular dichroism and (1)H NMR through deracemization of racemic 2-carboxy-2'-dodecyloxy-6-nitrobiphenyl. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.