Exploiting threefold symmetry in asymmetric catalysis: the case of tris(oxazolinyl)ethanes ("trisox")

Rotational molecular symmetry, modularity and other aspects of ligand design have played a role in the development of a new class of stereodirecting ligands. The use of highly symmetrical, stereodirecting ligands may reduce the number of transition states and diastereomeric reaction intermediates and, in favourable cases, this degeneration of alternative reaction pathways may lead to high stereoselectivity in catalytic reactions and greatly simplifies the analysis of such transformations. In this concept article, we describe the way in which these considerations have played a role in the development of a new class of stereodirecting ligands. Tris(oxazolinyl)ethanes ("trisox") have proved to be versatile ligand systems for the development of enantioselective catalysts of the d- and f-block metals employed in a wide range of catalytic conversions. These include Lewis acid catalysed transesterifications, C-C and C-N coupling reactions, the catalytic polymerisation of alpha-olefins as well as Pd-catalysed allylic alkylations. An overview of the current state of this field is given and the potential for further development will be highlighted.