Kinetic aspects of non-linear effects in asymmetric synthesis,catalysis, and autocatalysis

The Kagan ML_n models developed for rationalizing non-linear effects of catalyst enantiopurity have become a valuable mechanistic tool for probing complex asymmetric catalytic reactions. This work demonstrates how these models also provide clues about reactivity that may be used for further evidence to test a mechanistic hypothesis. Special considerations for probing non-linear effects in asymmetric synthesis using stoichiometric chiral auxiliaries and in asymmetric autocatalysis are highlighted in comparison with asymmetric catalysis.