CHIRALE KATALYSATOREN FÜR DIE ASYMMETRISCHE ACYLIERUNG UND VERWANDTE UMWANDLUNGEN

A chiral catalyst comprising a 3, 4-disubstituted pyridine, or a salt, N functionalised derivative, dimer or oligomer thereof, wherein the 3-substituent is substantially hindered from rotation about the bond (sp2-sp2 biaryl axis) linking it to pyridine and the 4-substituent is an aliphatic or aromatic amine linked by a single bond to the pyridine, the pyridine nitrogen being functionalised or unfunctionalised, preferably comprising a compound of formula I wherein Z is a group substantially hindered from rotation about its bond; and each of R1 and R2 are independently selected from C1-30 alkyl, C3-30 cyclo alkyl and/or C3-30 aryl, or NR1 R2 form a cyclic amine; wherein R1 and/or R2 may be optionally substituted and/or include one or more heteroatoms; a composition or support comprising the catalyst; process for the preparation and resolution thereof; process for stereoselective reaction of an optically inactive substrate using the catalyst; and the optically active reaction product thereof.