Synthesis of axially chiral compounds through catalytic asymmetric reactions of alkynes

Axially chiral compounds are a result of the nonplanar arrangement of four groups in pairs about a chirality axis. Axially chiral molecules not only exist in a range of bioactive compounds, but also are widely applied in chiral ligands and catalysts. With these wide-ranging utilities, the construction of axially chiral compounds is attracting more and more interest from chemists. Recent advances in this rapidly expanding field involving the synthesis of axially chiral compounds via catalytic asymmetric reaction of readily available alkynes are introduced in this review, including transition-metal-catalyzed and organocatalytic reactions. A discussion of the reaction scope, mechanistic insights, and synthetic applications of these catalytic asymmetric reactions of alkynes is presented. We hope that this review will provide timely illumination and beneficial guidance for organic chemists who are interested in this area, and we strongly anticipate continued development of the field in the future. Axial chirality exists in a wide range of important molecules, such as bioactive compounds, chiral ligands and catalysts, and optically pure materials. The atroposelective synthesis of axially chiral compounds has been well established over the past decades. As an important building block in organic synthesis, alkynes have been more and more widely used in the construction of atropisomers in the past two decades. This review summarizes the advances in the field of catalytic asymmetric synthesis of atropisomers from alkynes by highlighting the reaction scope, mechanistic insights, and synthetic applications. The current challenges and the future directions to accelerate this field to the next level are also provided. Axially chiral compounds are widely applied in the fields of drug discovery, material sciences, and asymmetric reactions. The atroposelective synthesis of axially chiral compounds has been well established over the past decades. This review summarizes the advances in the field of catalytic asymmetric synthesis of atropisomers from readily available alkynes by highlighting the reaction scope, mechanistic insights, and synthetic applications.