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Review
. 2022 Sep;52(1-3):57-74.
doi: 10.1007/s11084-022-09626-7. Epub 2022 Aug 12.

Asymmetric Autocatalysis as an Efficient Link Between the Origin of Homochirality and Highly Enantioenriched Compounds

Kenso Soai  1   2 , Tsuneomi Kawasaki  3 , Arimasa Matsumoto  4
Affiliations
Review

Asymmetric Autocatalysis as an Efficient Link Between the Origin of Homochirality and Highly Enantioenriched Compounds

Kenso Soai et al. Orig Life Evol Biosph. 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Biological homochirality of essential components such as L-amino acids and D-sugars is prerequisite for the emergence, evolution and the maintenance of life. Implication of biological homochirality is described. Considerable interest has been focused on the origin and the process leading to the homochirality. Asymmetric autocatalysis with amplification of enantiomeric excess (ee), i.e., the Soai reaction, is capable to link the low ee induced by the proposed origins of chirality such as circularly polarized light and high ee of the organic compound. Absolute asymmetric synthesis without the intervention of any chiral factor was achieved in the Soai reaction.

Keywords: Amplification of enantiomeric excess; Asymmetric autocatalysis; Origin of homochirality; Self-replication; Soai reaction; Symmetry breaking.

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