The progression of chiral anions from concepts to applications in asymmetric catalysis

Novel concepts in asymmetric catalysis have the potential to open up previously inaccessible reaction space. This Review reflects on the origins of an area that has undergone dramatic recent advancement: the use of chiral anions in asymmetric catalysis. Details of a selection of the latest examples are also given. Despite the tremendous advances of the past four decades, chemists are far from being able to use chiral catalysts to control the stereoselectivity of any desired reaction. New concepts for the construction and mode of operation of chiral catalysts have the potential to open up previously inaccessible reaction space. The recognition and categorization of distinct approaches seems to play a role in triggering rapid exploration of new territory. This Review both reflects on the origins as well as details a selection of the latest examples of an area that has advanced considerably within the past five years or so: the use of chiral anions in asymmetric catalysis. Defining reactions as involving chiral anions is a difficult task owing to uncertainties over the exact catalytic mechanisms. Nevertheless, we attempt to provide an overview of the breadth of reactions that could reasonably fall under this umbrella.