Catalytic enantioselective C-H functionalization of alcohols by redox-triggered carbonyl addition: Borrowing hydrogen, returning carbon

The use of alcohols and unsaturated reactants for the redox-triggered generation of nucleophile-electrophile pairs represents a broad, new approach to carbonyl addition chemistry. Discrete redox manipulations that are often required for the generation of carbonyl electrophiles and premetalated carbon-centered nucleophiles are thus avoided. Based on this concept, a broad, new family of enantioselective C-C coupling reactions that are catalyzed by iridium or ruthenium complexes have been developed, which are summarized in this Minireview. Borrowing with interest: The concept of exploiting alcohols and unsaturated reactants for the redox-triggered generation of nucleophile- electrophile pairs reinvents the chemistry of carbonyl addition, enabling a broad, new family of catalytic enantioselective C-C couplings.