Amplification of Chirality from Extremely Low to Greater than 99.5 % <i>ee</i> by Asymmetric Autocatalysis

Abstract

“Single-handedly”, in every sense of the word, the alkylation product shown catalyzes its own asymmetric formation from the corresponding aldehyde. In this way the miniscule initial enantiomeric excess of about 0.00005 % was amplified to >99.5 % ee after three cycles.