The “Magic” Diarylhydroxymethyl Group

Abstract

Increasing stereoselectivity in numerous recently developed methods of asymmetric synthesis is possible with the diarylhydroxymethyl group, which is typically employed in deprotonated form as a ligand in metal complexes. In the transition state of these reactions the geminal aryl groups are apparently fixed in a chiral conformation owing to the influence of a permanent stereogenic center X*. A schematic representation of this type of metal catalyst is shown on the right.