Catalytic Enantioselective Oxa-Pictet-Spengler Reaction

Abstract

Oxocarbenium ions are key intermediates in a wide variety of important synthetic transformations. Since they have generally high reactivities and lack of basic sites suitable for interaction with chiral Lewis acids or hydrogen-bond donors, the development of catalytic enantioselective reactions involving oxocarbenium intermediates is a great challenge for chemical synthesis. This review highlights recent progress in developing catalytic enantioselective oxa-Pictet-Spengler reaction.