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Free keywords:
asymmetric organocatalysis; binaphthol derivatives; iminium ions; ion pair catalysis; transfer hydrogenation
Abstract:
Exceedingly high enantioselectivity in a catalytic reaction can be realized even when the chirality resides only in the counteranion of the catalyst. A salt (1) composed of an achiral ammonium cation and a chiral phosphate counteranion catalyzes asymmetric transfer hydrogenations of aromatic and aliphatic α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes with a Hantzsch ester in excellent enantioselectivities (see scheme).