Ethers as Chiral Phase-Transfer Catalysts

In the following sections, progress made in asymmetric phase-transfer catalysis using chiral crown ethers, taddolates, Nobin and metal(salen) complexes is surveyed. Each section is further subdivided according to the reaction being catalyzed. 

Crown Ethers as Chiral Phase-Transfer Catalysts 

The use of chiral crown ethers as asymmetric phase-transfer catalysts is largely due to the studies of Bako and Toke [6], as discussed below. Interestingly, chiral crown ethers have not been widely used for the synthesis of amino acid derivatives, but have been shown to be effective catalysts for asymmetric Michael additions of nitro-alkane enolates, for Darzens condensations, and for asymmetric epoxidations of a,P-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. 

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Crown Ethers as Chiral Phase-Transfer Catalysts 163... 

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