Tailoring radicals by asymmetric electrochemical catalysis

Abstract

Asymmetric catalysis with radicals is challenging due to the fleeting and neutral nature of radical species. We highlight herein asymmetric electrochemical catalysis as a powerful yet exquisite tool in facilitating chiral radical transformations by the works of Lin, Meggers and Guo. The mild and readily tunable features of electrochemical redox processes not only enable mild generations of chiral radical intermediates but also provide exquisite control of both chemo- and stereoselectivity.