Bio-supramolecular photochirogenesis with molecular chaperone: enantiodifferentiating photocyclodimerization of 2-anthracenecarboxylate mediated by prefoldin

Photocyclodimerization of 2-anthracenecarboxylate mediated by molecular chaperone protein was performed for the first time to afford chiral syn - head - to - tail and anti - head - to - head dimers ( 2 and 3 ) in 10% and 16% enantiomeric excess, respectively, with enhanced yields of sterically and electrostatically less-favored head - to - head dimers ( 3 and 4 ). The title reaction gave cyclodimers in 10-16% ee with enhanced HH dimer yields.