Broader, Greener, and More Efficient: Recent Advances in Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation has become a practically useful tool in reduction chemistry in the last decade or so. This was largely triggered by the seminal work of Noyori and co‐workers in the mid‐1990s and is driven by its complementing chemistry to hydrogenation employing H2. This Focus Review attempts to present a “holistic” overview on the advances in the area, focusing on the achievements recorded around the last three years. These include more‐efficient and “greener” metal catalysts, catalysts that enable hydrogenation as well as transfer hydrogenation, biomimetic and organocatalysts, and their applications in the reduction of CO, CN, and CC bonds. Also highlighted are efforts in the development of environmentally benign and reusable catalytic systems. Going towards green: Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation is becoming more efficient, greener, and versatile. This Focus Review presents an overview on the recent advances in the area, focusing on innovative metal catalysts, biomimetic and organocatalysts, and ecologically benign and reusable catalytic systems.