C═N-Containing Azaarenes as Activating Groups in Enantioselective Catalysis

Abstract

Nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocycles (azaarenes) are of widespread chemical significance, and chiral compounds containing azaarenes feature prominently in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and natural products. This Perspective highlights the use of a relatively underdeveloped strategy to prepare chiral azaarene-containing compounds: exploitation of the C=N bond embedded within certain azaarenes to activate adjacent functionality in catalytic asymmetric reactions. Work in this area has resulted in the development of several different types of catalytic enantio-selective processes, including reductions, nucleophilic additions, and reductive couplings. It is hoped that this Perspective will encourage more researchers to work in this promising area.