Asymmetric autocatalysis triggered by triglycine sulfate with switchable chirality by the direction of electric field

Triglycine sulfate (TGS) acts as a chiral trigger for asymmetric autocatalysis with amplification of enantiomeric excess, i.e., the Soai reaction. Therefore, molecular chirality of highly enantioenriched organic compounds is controlled...

Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy of Catalyst Preequilibrium in Asymmetric Autocatalysis of Pyrimidyl Alkanol

Mechanistic understanding of asymmetric autocatalysis of pyrimidyl alkanol is highly attracting and challenging topic due to its unique feature of amplification of enantiomeric excess. Circular dichroism spectrum analysis of this...

Efficient Amplification in Soai's Asymmetric Autocatalysis by a Transient Stereodynamic Catalyst

Mechanisms leading to a molecular evolution and the formation of homochirality in nature are interconnected and a key to the underlying principles that led to the emergence of life. So far proposed mechanisms leading to a non-linear reaction behavior are based mainly on the formation of homochiral and heterochiral dimers. Since homochiral and heterochiral dimers are diastereomers of each other, the minor enantiomer is shifted out of equilibrium with the major enantiomer by dimer formation and thus a reaction or catalysis can be dominated by the remaining molecules of the major enantiomer. In this article a mechanism is shown that leads to homochirality by the formation of a highly catalytically active transient intermediate in a stereodynamically controlled reaction. This is demonstrated by Soai's asymmetric autocatalysis, in which aldehydes are transformed into the corresponding alcohols by addition of dialkylzinc reagents. The mechanism of chirogenesis proposed here shows that an apparently inefficient reaction is the best prerequisite for a selection mechanism. In addition, stereodynamic control offers the advantage that the minor diastereomeric intermediate can be interconverted into the major diastereomer and thus be stereoeconomically efficient. This is supported by computer simulation of reaction kinetics.

Structural Contributions to Autocatalysis and Asymmetric Amplification in the Soai Reaction

Diisopropylzinc alkylation of pyrimidine aldehydes – the Soai reaction, with its astonishing attribute of amplifying asymmetric autocatalysis, occupies a unique position in organic chemistry and stands as an eminent challenge for mechanistic elucidation. A new paradigm of ‘mixed catalyst substrate’ experiments with pyrimidine and pyridine systems allows a disconnection of catalysis from autocatalysis, providing insights into the role played by reactant and alkoxide structure. The alkynyl substituent favorably tunes catalyst solubility, aggregation and conformation while modulating substrate reactivity and selectivity. The alkyl groups and the heteroaromatic core play further complementary roles in catalyst aggregation and substrate binding. In the study of these structure activity relationships, novel pyridine substrates demonstrating amplifying autocatalysis were identified. Comparison of three autocatalytic systems representing a continuum of nitrogen Lewis basicity strength suggests how the strength of N-Zn binding events is a predominant contributor towards the rate of autocatalytic progression.<br><div> </div>

Structural Contributions to Autocatalysis and Asymmetric Amplification in the Soai Reaction

Diisopropylzinc alkylation of pyrimidine aldehydes – the Soai reaction, with its astonishing attribute of amplifying asymmetric autocatalysis, occupies a unique position in organic chemistry and stands as an eminent challenge for mechanistic elucidation. A new paradigm of ‘mixed catalyst substrate’ experiments with pyrimidine and pyridine systems allows a disconnection of catalysis from autocatalysis, providing insights into the role played by reactant and alkoxide structure. The alkynyl substituent favorably tunes catalyst solubility, aggregation and conformation while modulating substrate reactivity and selectivity. The alkyl groups and the heteroaromatic core play further complementary roles in catalyst aggregation and substrate binding. In the study of these structure activity relationships, novel pyridine substrates demonstrating amplifying autocatalysis were identified. Comparison of three autocatalytic systems representing a continuum of nitrogen Lewis basicity strength suggests how the strength of N-Zn binding events is a predominant contributor towards the rate of autocatalytic progression.<br><div> </div>