Asymmetric addition of achiral organomagnesium reagents or organolithiums to achiral aldehydes or ketones: a review

The enantioselective preparation of chiral secondary and tertiary alcohols via addition of an achiral organomagnesium reagent or an organolithium to an achiral aldehyde or ketone in a chiral medium is reviewed. The review is written in chronological order and contains 113 references to literature through late 2008. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.