Studies on the design of novel organocatalysts for reduction, carbonyl protection and asymmetric acylation reactions

Abstract

Due to the vast number of biologically active compounds bearing a hydrogen substituent as a part of the stereogenic center, the development of efficient reduction reactions has been a main focus within the area of asymmetric catalysis. Herein we detail the design and synthesis of chiral (metal-free) bifunctional organocatalysts, specifically inexpensive and easily assembled (thio)urea derivatives, for enantioselective reduction of benzils to benzoins.