title: Synthetic autocatalysts show organocatalysis of other reactions.
abstract: A molecule capable of both autocatalysis and organocatalysis was synthesized. The autocatalytic activity results from the self-complementary recognition sites provided by hydrogen bonding between heterocyclic subunits and the organocatalysis resides in an embedded thiourea function. The behavior of the molecule suggests both replication and metabolism can be engineered into synthetic compounds.
authors.affiliation: The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
authors.forename: Seiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamioka
authors.forename: Dariush
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ajami
authors.forename: Julius
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rebek
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
chemical_list: D009930:Organic Chemicals