Chiral catalysts for asymmetric acylation and related transformations

A chiral catalyst comprising a 3,4-disubstituted pyridine, or a salt, N functionalized derivative, dimer or oligomer thereof, wherein the 3-substituent is substantially hindered from rotation about the bond (sp -sp 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 functionalized or unfunctionalized, preferably comprising a compound of formula Iwherein Z is a group substantially hindered from rotation about its bond; andeach of R and R are independently selected from C1-30 alkyl, C3-30 cyclo alkyl and/or C3-30 aryl, or NR R form a cyclic amine; wherein R and/or R 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.