A simple chiral recognition system to investigate substituent effects on π-π interactions.

We have used a simple molecular recognition system to study substituent effects in aromatic interactions. A series of substituted benzoylleucine diethyl amides with aromatic rings of varying electronic character were crystallized. All of the substituted dimers organized into homochiral dimers in the solid state but with pronounced differences in regard to the orientation of the aromatic rings with respect to each other. However, no homochiral dimerization was observed in the unsubstituted case.