Nonlinear effects in proline-thiourea host-guest complex catalyzed aldol reactions in nonpolar solvents
TETRAHEDRON-ASYMMETRY, vol.21, no.4, pp.405-409, 2010 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 21 Issue: 4
- Publication Date: 2010
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.tetasy.2010.02.009
- Journal Name: TETRAHEDRON-ASYMMETRY
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.405-409
- Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
An aldol reaction catalyzed by a proline-thiourea host-guest complex in a nonpolar solvent shows excellent nonlinear effects. This proline-thiourea system has the ability to form a hydrogen-bonding network. The enantiomeric excess of proline in a solution can be significantly enhanced by its incorporation with a urea molecule into its solid racemate. This suggests a general and facile route to homochirality, which may be involved in the origin of chirality on earth. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.