iChem Therefore iAm. Founding Director, Institute for Strategic AI (ISA) | Visiting Researcher @MSFTResearch | Professor of Computational & Materials Chemistry
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ALT The certificate reads “Research Collaboration Leadership – Professor Amir Karton – For exceptional dedication to advancing computational chemistry and building durable, high-impact research partnerships.” The award is from the University of New England (UNE), dated 17 July 2025.
![Enzymes catalyze reactions via transition state stabilization and ground state destabilization, using chiral active sites for enantioselectivity. In a multinational collaboration, Würthner, Karton, and co-workers (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202301301) developed a supramolecular model that mimics enzymatic catalysis principles to catalyze [5]helicene enantiomerization. Catalysis is driven by π-π interactions from a chiral perylene bisimide (PBI) cyclophane. Energy decomposition analysis shows transition state stabilization stems from dispersion and electrostatic forces. Time-dependent circular dichroism studies reveal that the enantiomerization kinetics of [5]helicene is accelerated by a factor of ~700 at room temperature. Detailed 2D NMR and crystallographic studies confirm the transfer of chiral information from host to guest.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GZ9hf7Db0AccUjM.jpg?name=orig)
ALT Enzymes catalyze reactions via transition state stabilization and ground state destabilization, using chiral active sites for enantioselectivity. In a multinational collaboration, Würthner, Karton, and co-workers (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202301301) developed a supramolecular model that mimics enzymatic catalysis principles to catalyze [5]helicene enantiomerization. Catalysis is driven by π-π interactions from a chiral perylene bisimide (PBI) cyclophane. Energy decomposition analysis shows transition state stabilization stems from dispersion and electrostatic forces. Time-dependent circular dichroism studies reveal that the enantiomerization kinetics of [5]helicene is accelerated by a factor of ~700 at room temperature. Detailed 2D NMR and crystallographic studies confirm the transfer of chiral information from host to guest.
