The Asymmetric Suzuki Coupling Route to Axially Chiral Biaryls

Axially chiral biaryls are ubiquitous structural motifs in biologically active natural products or ligands for homogeneous catalysis. Their properties relate to the particular spatial arrangement of the two aromatic residues and therefore the control of their absolute configuration constitutes an issue of major importance. The asymmetric Suzuki–Miyaura coupling has recently emerged as an attractive alternative to standard methods for the control of biaryl axial chirality. Recent diastereo‐ and enantioselective approaches, as well as some applications in target‐oriented synthesis, are commented on in this microreview. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)