Asymmetric heterogeneous catalysis using crystalline porous materials

Abstract

Asymmetric catalysis has emerged as a pivotal strategy in the synthesis of chiral compounds, offering significant advantages in selectivity and efficiency. In recent years, heterogeneous catalysis has become a focal point in the fields of organic synthesis and materials science due to continuous advancements in science and technology, especially the use of crystalline porous materials (CPMs) as catalysts. This review summarizes recent advances in using CPMs, such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and zeolites, as promising supports for asymmetric catalysts. These materials provide high surface areas, tunable porosity, and the ability to host active catalytic sites, which enhance reaction rates and selectivity. In this review, we summarize the stereostructural properties of chiral CPMs to guide the future design of asymmetric heterogeneous catalysts and the study of catalytic mechanisms. Moreover, we discuss various strategies for incorporating catalytic moieties into these frameworks, including direct synthesis, post-synthesis modification and induced synthesis methods. Additionally, we highlight recent examples where CPMs have been successfully applied in asymmetric transformations, examining their mechanistic insights and the role of substrate diffusion in achieving high enantioselectivity. This review concludes with a perspective on the challenges and future directions in this rapidly evolving field, emphasizing the need for further integration of advanced artificial intelligence techniques and design principles to optimize the synthesis and catalytic performance of chiral CPMs.