Binaphthyl Based Molecules for Asymmetric Organocatalytic Aldol Reactions: Recent Developments from a Successful Record

The careful selection of a suitable chiral backbone is vital for the preparation of any modern ligand for asymmetric catalysis, where binaphthyl based ligands are considered paradigmatic and systematically used in a diversity of asymmetric catalysed reactions, with emphasis for organocatalysis. Due to the vastness of possible organocatalytic applications, this review article is mainly focused on the asymmetric aldol and vinylogous aldol reactions organocatalysed by binaphthyl-based molecules. Special attention is given to catalytic results, particularly on enantio- and diastereoselectivity obtained by the use of the above binaphthyl chiral inductors.