University Chemistry ›› 2022, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (1): 2105009.doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202105009

• Chemistry History • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Traceability and Development of Optical Activity and Chiroptical Spectroscopy

Hui Zhang1,*(), Aihua Qi2, Dan Li1, Rongxing Li2   

  1. 1 College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, Fujian Province, China
    2 Dalian Huayang Analytical Instruments Co., Ltd., Dalian 116001, Liaoning Province, China
  • Received:2021-05-06 Accepted:2021-06-08 Published:2021-07-02
  • Contact: Hui Zhang E-mail:huizhang@xmu.edu.cn

Abstract:

This paper presents a comprehensive overview on the discovery and development of optical activity and chiroptical spectroscopy since the nineteenth century, with emphasis on the background and basic principles of the development of optical rotatory dispersion (ORD), electron circular dichroism (ECD) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy. Therein, the outstanding contributions of Chinese scientists Guangxian Xu and Yunjie Xu in the development of chiroptical spectroscopy are specifically mentioned.

Key words: History of optical activity and chiroptical spectroscopy, Optical rotatory dispersion (ORD), Electron circular dichroism (ECD), Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD)