Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of α-chiral azides

Abstract

α-Chiral azides represent a special subclass of chiral amines, which not only widely exist in bioactive compounds but also play a significant role as a building block in a variety of value-added chiral products. The catalytic asymmetric synthesis of α-chiral azides is of current interest and three synthetic strategies have been developed. This review summarizes the recent progress in this research area, discusses the advantages and limitations of each strategy, and outlines synthetic opportunities for future research.