Nonlinear effects in proline-thiourea host-guest complex catalyzed aldol reactions in nonpolar solvents

DEMİR A. G., Eymur S.

TETRAHEDRON-ASYMMETRY, vol.21, no.4, pp.405-409, 2010 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • 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.