Catalytic asymmetric transformations of oxa- and azabicyclic alkenes

Abstract

Oxa- and azabicyclic alkenes can be readily activated by transition-metal complexes with facial selectivity, because of the intrinsic reactivity of strained bicyclic structures. Synthetically, these compounds are important synthons that offer an important platform for the construction of biologically/medicinally significant compounds with two or more stereocenters. This Review comprehensively compiles the diverse catalytic processes involving the enantioselective transformations of oxa- and azabicyclic alkenes. It has been organized according to reaction type, including asymmetric ring opening (ARO) reactions, hydrofunctionalizations, cycloadditions and C–H activation reactions. The ARO section has been subdivided based on the type of nucleophiles employed, and further subdivided based on the metal used, with a separate topic dedicated to asymmetric ring-opening metathesis. Lastly, the presentation of each method/group of reactions is accompanied by concise discussions on their advantages and limitations.