Asymmetric Synthesis. Kinetic Amplification of Enantiomeric Excess

Abstract

The efficiency of an asymmetric synthetic reaction is measured by what is called the enantiomeric excess (e.e.). It is commonly assumed that this is a unique quantity for a given asymmetric reaction under specified conditions. The purpose of this Comment is to show that this is not necessxily so, and that, under certain circumstances, e.e. is an elusive quantity which continuously changes with the extent of reaction.