Design of next-generation chiral acid-base catalysts and application to fine organic synthesis

Abstract

Apart from enzymes as biocatalysts, a broad repertoire of chiral reagents, auxiliaries, and catalysts can be developed in recent years. In this respect, the design of new catalysts and new reactions in a practical and an environmentally benign manner is increasingly important in the 21st century for the construction of new and useful organic molecules. Accordingly, we have developed new catalytic asymmetric reactions based on [1] the rational design of conceptually new, chiral bidentate Lewis acids (particularly, aluminum and titanium Lewis acids) in organic synthesis including catalytic asymmetric synthesis; [2] the design of environmentally benign, binaphthyl-modified chiral phase-transfer catalysts as chiral organocatalysts for practical asymmetric synthesis.