Chiral Organosulfur Ligands/Catalysts with a Stereogenic Sulfur Atom: Applications in Asymmetric Synthesis

Chem Rev. 2017 Mar 8;117(5):4147-4181. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00517. Epub 2017 Feb 13.

Abstract

Asymmetric synthesis, in which chiral organocatalysts or metal complexes with chiral ligands are used, has become the most valuable methodology for the preparation of enantiomerically pure organic compounds. Among such catalysts/ligands, a growing number constitute various organosulfur compounds. This Review provides comprehensive and critical information on the plethora of sulfur-based chiral ligands and organocatalysts used in asymmetric synthesis, which have been published within the last 15 years. However, it is confined to the presentation of only those chiral catalysts/ligands that possess a stereogenic sulfur atom and includes sulfoxides, sulfinamides, N-sulfinyl ureas, sulfoximines, and some related S-chiral derivatives.