Catalytic 1,2-Elimination: A Novel Asymmetric Approach

Elimination reactions have unexpectedly emerged as a novel tool in asymmetric synthesis, offering unique and advantageous approaches for accessing diverse chiral structures. Recent advances in catalytic asymmetric 1,2-elimination reactions leading to carbon–carbon double bonds have been summarized and systematically discussed in three sections, according to distinct synthetic strategies such as desymmetrization to centrally chiral compounds, kinetic resolution of β-substituted carbonyl compounds, and β-elimination to axially chiral compounds. This brief review aims to highlight the significance and sophistication of these three specialized asymmetric elimination pathways in the innovative construction of chiral molecules, while also encouraging the continued growth of this emerging field.