The Development and Application of Thiosquaramides and Bispyridiniums as Hydrogen-Bond Donor Catalysts

Chiral hydrogen-bond donor molecules have emerged as powerful catalysts for asymmetric organic synthesis. Principles of hydrogen-bond donor catalyst design have led to the development of thiosquaramides and bispyridiniums as highly active catalysts. The synthesis and catalytic performance of thiosquaramide and bispyridinium catalophores is described, as well as their application to new methodologies, in particular highly enantioselective Michael additions of barbituric acids to nitroalkenes and nitro-Diels-Alder reactions.