Recent Advances in Rare Earth Metal Asymmetric Catalysis Toward Practical Synthesis of Therapeutics

Abstract

Two case studies regarding the development of rare earth metal-based asymmetric catalysts are summarized, with particular focus on the process of refining catalysts amenable to industrial applications. Amide-based chiral ligands in combination with lanthanum or neodymium cations furnished robust catalytic systems for asymmetric amination or nitroaldol reactions, respectively. Although rare earth metal catalysis is generally characterized by a peculiar coordination chemistry and Lewis acidic catalytic functions, its wide availability and moderate tolerance to moisture are also important features to be noted, making the application of rare earth metal catalysis beneficial for industrial large-scale synthesis.