Unusual Inverse Temperature Dependence on Reaction Rate in the Asymmetric Autocatalytic Alkylation of Pyrimidyl Aldehydes

Abstract

Observations of an intriguing inverse temperature dependence on reaction rate and a profound induction period in the Soai autocatalytic reaction are reported along with detailed kinetic and NMR investigations of the product alkoxide at low temperatures, leading to the suggestion that the active catalyst is derived in situ from the tetrameric ground state.