Miniaturized enantioselective tubular devices for the electromechanical wireless separation of chiral analytes

Chirality plays a crucial role in different research fields, ranging from fundamental physico-chemistry to applied aspects in materials sci- ence and medicine. In this context, enantioselective loading and pumping of chiral analytes for analysis, separation, and cargo deliv- ery applications is an interesting scientific challenge. Herein, we introduce artificial chiral soft electromechanical pumps based on a bi-layer film built up by electrodepositing polypyrrole and an inher- ently chiral conducting oligomer at its internal surface. The enantio- selective device can be driven by bipolar electrochemistry to act as a pump, allowing the selective loading and separation of different chi- ral analytes injected as pure enantiomers and in racemic form (i.e., doxorubicin, a chemotherapy drug, limonene, carvone, and a chiral ferrocene). The synergy between wireless electromechanical actua- tion and inherent enantiodiscrimination features makes these actu- ators excellent candidates for the controlled handling of chiral mol- ecules in the frame of potential applications ranging from analysis to drug delivery.