Chiral polyvinylpyrrolidinone (CSPVP), complexes of CSPVP with a core species, such as a metallic nanocluster catalyst, and enantioselective oxidation reactions utilizing such complexes are disclosed. The CSPVP complexes can be used in asymmetric oxidation of diols, enantioselective oxidation of alkenes, and carbon-carbon bond forming reactions, for example. The CSPVP can also be complexed with biomolecules such as proteins, DNA, and RNA, and used as nanocarriers for siRNA or dsRNA delivery.