An autocatalytic organic reaction network based on cross-catalysis.

Here we report a simple autocatalytic organic reaction network based on the redox chemistry of quinones and reactive oxygen species. Autocatalysis arises from the cross-activation between the H2 O2 -catalyzed deprotection of a pro-benzoquinone arylboronic ester probe and the benzoquinone-catalyzed H2 O2 production through redox cyling with ascorbate in an aerated buffered solution.