Abstract
Enantioenriched α-aryl carbonyl compounds are ubiquitous in natural products and biologically
active compounds. Their synthesis has been explored over the last few decades and
several methods now exist that allow for the enantioselective formation of a C(sp3)-C(sp2) bond in the α-position to a carbonyl group. However, although the formation of quaternary
stereocenters has been fairly well established, the enantioselective formation of
tertiary stereocenters proved more challenging due to facile product post-reaction
racemization. In this short review, we summarize the methods reported to date for
the asymmetric α-arylation of enolates and analogues that rely on transition-metal
catalysis.
1 Introduction
2 Nucleophile Pre-activation
3 Activation via Aminocatalysis
4 Formation of Constrained Stereocenters
5 Concluding Remarks
Key words
α-arylation of carbonyl compounds - transition-metal catalysis - enantioselective
catalysis - aminocatalysis - tertiary stereocenters