Meldrum's Acid: A Useful Platform in Asymmetric Organocatalysis

Abstract For more than a hundred years, Meldrum's acid and its derivatives have proven their utility and versatility in organic synthesis. Showing very unusual properties and multiple facets of reactivity, this small architecture has become the keystone of numerous synthetic methodologies. In asymmetric organocatalysis, where the catalyst/substrate matching is of upmost importance, Meldrum's acid derivatives have slowly but surely emerged as partners of choice over the last decade. This review intends to give a comprehensive state‐of‐the‐art view of the use of Meldrum's acid in enantioselective organocatalysis. After discussing the properties of Meldrum's acid and alkylidene Meldrum's acid derivatives, we will also make a point of highlighting how they allow such a good pairing with organocatalysts.