What is autocatalysis?

Autocatalysis is a chemical reaction in which one of the products of the reaction acts as a catalyst for the same reaction. This means that the product helps to speed up the reaction, but is not consumed in the process. Autocatalysis can lead to a positive feedback loop, in which the rate of the reaction increases over time, potentially leading to rapid and uncontrolled reactions.

One example of autocatalysis is the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction, which is a chemical oscillator that exhibits periodic changes in color and intensity. The BZ reaction involves the oxidation of malonic acid by bromate ion in the presence of a catalyst, such as cerium(IV) sulfate. The reaction produces an intermediate product, which then acts as a catalyst for the further oxidation of malonic acid, leading to a self-sustaining oscillation.

Autocatalysis has been proposed as a possible mechanism for the emergence of self-replication and evolution in chemical systems, and has been studied in the fields of chemistry, biology, and the origin of life.