Enantioselective organocatalytic transfer hydrogenation reactions using Hantzsch esters

Abstract

Within the realm of catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation, the focus continues to be on the use of chiral metal complexes in conjunction with a hydrogen source. Recently, the widespread development of organocatalysis, including the invention of iminium activation, has led to the discovery of many new enantioselective transformations. Based on this strategy, a number of bioinspired processes for the enantioselective organocatalytic transfer hydrogenation of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and imines have been discovered. These topics will be the focus of this Account.