Simple organic molecules as catalysts for enantioselective synthesis of amines and alcohols.

ABSTRACT: The discovery of catalysts that can be used to synthesize complex organic compounds by enantioselective transformations is central to advances in the life sciences; for this reason, many chemists aim to discover catalysts that allow for preparation of chiral molecules as predominantly one mirror-image isomer. The ideal catalyst should not contain precious elements and should bring reactions to completion in a few hours through operationally simple procedures. Here we introduce a set of small organic molecules that can catalyse reactions of unsaturated organoboron reagents with imines and carbonyls; the products of the reactions are enantiomerically pure amines and alcohols, which might serve as intermediates in the preparation of biologically active molecules. A distinguishing feature of t

SUBMITTER: Silverio DL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3576146 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature