The Role of N-Containing Carbohydrates in Organic Catalysis: A Review

Abstract

The utilization of carbohydrates biomass with organic catalysis is central to the development of sustainable chemical feedstocks and biologically active compounds, yet efforts have largely focused on oxygenated biopolymers, leaving N-containing carbohydrates (NCCs), such as chitin, chitosan, and D-glucosamine, relatively underexplored. Despite their abundance, biocompatibility, and inherent chirality, NCCs remain an untapped class of renewable nitrogen-rich materials with transformative potential in green and asymmetric catalysis. The lack of a focused, comprehensive analysis on their role in organic catalysis has limited the integration of NCCs into mainstream organic synthesis. Here, we critically review recent progress in the application of NCCs as (1) renewable feedstocks to produce value-added chemicals via regioselective C–N, C–C, and C–O bond cleavage; (2) chiral ligands in metal-catalyzed asymmetric transformations; and (3) organocatalysts for enantioselective organic chemical reactions. These developments reveal NCCs as versatile molecular scaffolds capable of replacing fossil-based inputs in sustainable organic catalysis. We further outline emerging frontiers that could define the next decade of research. These directions represent high potential strategies to unlock new chemical reactivity, enhance stereocontrol, and extend the utility of NCCs across synthetic, medicinal, and materials chemistry. This review positions NCCs as key enablers in the transition to renewable, precision-driven molecular science.