Homogeneous catalysis as a tool for organic synthesis

Homochiral trialkanolamines are a new class of chiral ligand for enantioselective catalysis. Mononuclear titanium complexes bearing such ligands promote the asymmetric sulfoxidation of alkyl aryl sulfides. In contrast, a dimeric zirconium species is the active catalyst in the desymmetrization of meso epoxides with azides. Mechanistic insight into the latter reaction has led to a new reaction, the enantioselective desymmetrization of meso epoxides using halides as the nucleophilic partner.