Thiourea-catalyzed aminolysis of N-acyl homoserine lactonesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Synthetic procedures, 1H and 13C NMR spectra, and catalyst screening procedure. See DOI: 10.1039/c3cc00268c

Thiourea catalysts accelerate aminolysis of N -acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), molecules integral to bacterial quorum sensing. The catalysts afford rate enhancement of up to 10 times the control in CD 3 CN. Mild catalysis in other polar aprotic solvents is still observed, while the activity is attenuated in polar protic solvents. Multifunctional thiourea catalysts are employed to accelerate aminolysis of N -acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) in polar solvents.