Enantioselective organometallic catalysis in flow

Abstract

Enantioselective chemical transformations using chiral metal catalysts under continuous-flow conditions are described. Although flow methods have several advantages over batch methods in terms of environmental compatibility, efficiency, and safety, synthesis by flow methods is more difficult than by batch methods. Some pioneering efforts on the topic were conducted in the early 1990s; major contributions have been started very recently. While some fruitful results have been reported in enantioselective hydrogenation, other reactions such as enantioselective oxidation, C–X bond formation, and C–C bond formation are still limited. More advances is expected because flow methods are leading candidates for the next generation of manufacturing methods that can mitigate environmental concerns.