Can glycine form homochiral structural domains on low-index copper surfaces?

Suggestions that homochiral ordered phases of glycinate, NH2CH2COO-, may exist on Cu(110) and Cu(100) have been evaluated in the light of experimental evidence from scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), qualitative low energy electron diffraction and scanned-energy mode photoelectron diffraction. There is clear evidence for heterochiral Cu(110)(3 x 2)pg and Cu(100)(4 x 2)pg phases. All proposed models for a homochiral (3 x 2) phase on Cu(110) are inconsistent with the results of at least one of the experimental studies. A coexistent c(4 x 2) homochiral phase on Cu(100) cannot be excluded on a similar basis. However, the only evidence for such homochiral phases, obtained from STM, may be attributed to an experimental artefact associated with an asymmetric tunnelling tip. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.