Chiral Carbophilic Gold Lewis Acid Complexes in Enantioselective Catalysis

Abstract

Progress made over the last decade in the development of highly selective homogeneous gold catalysts for enantioselective synthesis is reviewed. Four different classes of gold complexes have been identified and their application in enantioselective catalysis discussed: (1) chiral bisphosphine digold complexes, (2) monogold complexes of chiral monodentate phosphorous ligands, (3) chiral aminocarbene gold complexes, and (4) gold complexes containing chiral phosphate counterions.