Serine octamer cluster (original) (raw)

The Serine octamer cluster in physical chemistry is an unusually stable cluster consisting of eight serine molecules (Ser) implicated in the origin of homochirality. This cluster was first discovered in mass spectrometry experiments. Electrospray ionization of an aerosol of serine in methanol results in a mass spectrum with a prominent ion peak of 841 corresponding to the Ser8+H+ cation. The smaller and larger clusters are virtually absent in the spectrum and therefore the number 8 is called a magic number. The same octamer ions are also produced by rapid evaporation of a serine solution on a hot (200-250 °C) metal surface or by sublimation of solid serine. After production, detection again is by mass-spectroscopic means. For the discussion of homochirality, these laboratory production met