Asymmetric catalysis: An enabling science

Abstract

Chirality of organic molecules plays an enormous role in areas ranging from medicine to material science, yet the synthesis of such entities in one enantiomeric form is one of the most difficult challenges. The advances being made stem from the convergence of a broader understanding of theory and how structure begets function, the developments in the interface between organic and inorganic chemistry and, most notably, the organic chemistry of the transition metals, and the continuing advancements in the tools to help define structure, especially in solution. General themes for designing catalysts to effect asymmetric induction are helping to make this strategy more useful, in general, with the resultant effect of a marked enhancement of synthetic efficiency.

Recent Advances in Supramolecular Gels and Catalysis

“…Notably, catalytic transformation refers to a chemical reaction process in which catalysts are involved, which can efficiently reduce the activation energy needed to break chemical bonds and provide high yields and selectivity . To date, numerous novel catalysts, particularly metal complexes, have been designed and applied to activate a variety of chemical bonds, such as C−C and C−H bonds, and provide new protocols with high atom economy for the synthesis of important chemicals and industrial products .…”

Inverting External Asymmetric Induction via Selective Energy Transfer Catalysis: A Strategy to β‐Chiral Phosphonate Antipodes

“…[1] This general premise enables achiral substrates to be processed to one of two chiral antipodes by design under the auspices of catalyst control. [2] Expansive and transformative, this strategy continues to profit from the breadth and diversity of chiral pool entities available for inclusion in catalyst scaffolds. [3] Although essential for life, homochirality [4] intrinsically limits external asymmetric induction due to the deficiency of unnatural biomolecules (e.g.…”

Inversion externer asymmetrischer Induktion durch selektive Energietransfer‐Katalyse: Strategie zu β‐chiralen Phosphonat‐Antipoden

“…[1] Diese generelle Prämisse ermçglicht die Umsetzung achiraler Substrate zu einem von zwei chiralen Antipoden durch gezielte Katalysatorkontrolle. [2] Vielseitig einsetzbar profitiert diese Strategie von der Breite und Diversität der im Chiral-Pool verfügbaren Naturstoffe als Basis für Katalysatorstrukturen. [3] Die lebensnotwendige Homochiralität [4] ebendieser limitiert allerdings das Prinzip der externen asymmetrischen Induktion wegen mangelnden Zugangs zu unnatürlichen Biomolekülen (z.…”