Catalytic reactions for enantioselective transfers of donor-substituted carbenes

Transition metal-catalyzed enantioselective transfer reactions of carbenes constitute an important tool for constructing various chemical bonds. In past decades, enantioselective transfer reactions involving acceptor-substituted carbenes have developed rapidly, while employment of donor-substituted carbenes in these reactions remains rather restricted and with formidable challenges. This minireview covers the enantioselective catalytic transfer reactions of donor-substituted carbenes and tries to demonstrate the chiral control model based on mechanistic insights, providing context and directions for future development of this relatively new field. Transition metal-catalyzed enantioselective transfer reactions of carbenes constitute an important tool for constructing various chemical bonds. In past decades, enantioselective transfer reactions involving acceptor-substituted carbenes have developed rapidly, while employment of donor-substituted carbenes in these reactions remains rather restricted and with formidable challenges due to the restricted sources precursors, weakened electrophilicity, and a distinct chiral induction model of donor-substituted carbenes. This minireview covers the enantioselective catalytic transfer reactions of donor-substituted carbenes and tries to demonstrate the chiral control model based on mechanistic insights, providing context and directions for future development of this relatively new field. This minireview covers the enantioselective catalytic transfer reactions of donor-substituted carbenes and tries to demonstrate the chiral control model based on mechanistic insights, providing context and directions for future development of this relatively new field.