Enantioselective synthesis enabled by visible light photocatalysis

Area of Science:

• Organic Chemistry
• Photocatalysis
• Asymmetric Synthesis

Background:

• Enantioselective photoreactions present a long-standing synthetic challenge in organic chemistry.
• Recent advancements in visible light photocatalysis and asymmetric catalysis have opened new avenues for enantioselective synthesis.
• The synergistic combination of these catalytic systems offers unprecedented control over molecular stereochemistry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review contemporary developments in enantioselective visible-light photocatalysis reactions.
• To highlight the progress made from 2008 to March 2020.
• To classify recent advancements based on catalysis type.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of enantioselective visible-light photocatalysis.
• Analysis of reactions combining photocatalysis and asymmetric catalysis.
• Categorization of synthetic strategies by catalytic approach.

Main Results:

• Significant progress in constructing enantiomerically enriched molecules using visible light photocatalysis.
• Demonstration of synergistic effects between photocatalysis and asymmetric catalysis.
• Development of diverse methodologies for accessing chiral compounds.

Conclusions:

• Visible light photocatalysis, when combined with asymmetric catalysis, has overcome previous limitations in enantioselective synthesis.
• This synergistic approach provides powerful tools for creating complex chiral molecules.
• The field has witnessed remarkable advancements, expanding the scope of accessible enantiomerically enriched compounds.