Visible light photoredox catalysis has recently emerged as a powerful tool for the development of new and valuable chemical transformations under mild conditions. Visible-light promoted enantioselective radical transformations of imines and iminium intermediates provide new opportunities for the asymmetric synthesis of amines and asymmetric β-functionalization of unsaturated carbonyl compounds. In this review, the advance in the catalytic asymmetric radical functionalization of imines, as well as iminium intermediates, are summarized.
1 Introduction
2 The enantioselective radical functionalization of imines
2.1 Asymmetric reduction
2.2 Asymmetric cyclization
2.3 Asymmetric addition
2.4 Asymmetric radical coupling
3 The enantioselective radical functionalization of iminium ions
3.1 Asymmetric radical alkylation
3.2 Asymmetric radical acylation
4 Conclusion