Shibasaki Catalysts and Their Use for Asymmetric Synthetic Applications by the Chemical Industry

Shibasaki catalysts are a unique, highly efficient, and broadly applicable class of catalysts, which enable highly enantioselective reactions, have a broad utility towards a range of different reactions, and contain a ligand sphere that can be fine-tuned in an elegant and simple manner. Key features of these catalysts include their bifunctionality and their Lewis acid/BrOnsted base or Lewis acid/Lewis base components in combination with a chiral backbone. Their catalytic properties have made Shibasaki catalysts attractive for the development of industrial processes. Such reactions that employ Shibasaki catalysts and address their industrial potential are summarized in this review. Among them are processes that were jointly developed by the Shibasaki group with chemical companies or commercialized at a later time by industry. Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Nissan Chemicals, Hokko Chemicals, SKW Trostberg AG (presently Alzchem AG), and Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma jointly with Sunovion Pharmaceuticals have been involved in activities for the commercial use of Shibasaki catalysts.