Asymmetric Autocatalysis as a Relay for Remote Amplification of Chirality of Target Molecules Used as Triggers.

Nearly racemic target molecules are enantiomerically enriched through an asymmetric autocatalytic relay for a remote amplification of chirality. Target alkynols with very low initial ee act as chiral triggers for asymmetric amplification of the Soai autocatalyst, which in turn enables the formation of the same alkynols with greater enantiomeric purity. Additionally, the stereochemical correlation between the trigger/target and autocatalyst molecules is discussed.