Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral Acetals

Abstract

Acetals are common building blocks of many drugs and natural product molecules. It was found that the biological activity of chiral acetals is usually superior to their racemates. The catalytic asymmetric synthesis of chiral acetals is challenge for its racemization and attracts attention until recent years. In this review, the recent studies on catalytic asymmetric synthesis of chiral aminals, N,O-acetals, N,S-acetals, O,O-acetals, as well as its application in synthesis of chiral drugs containing acetal moieties are reviewed.