Abstract

As steric repulsion, the electronic effect of catalysts also plays a crucial role in asymmetric catalysis. The influence of the electronic effect of catalysts on the enantioselectivity in asymmetric catalysis, including metal-chiral ligand complex and organocatalyst systems, was reviewed. The applicability and complexity of the influence were discussed. Rationally tuning the electronic effect of catalysts can indeed improve enantioselectivity. It is one of the important pathways to achieve the best stereoselectivity in asymmetric catalysis.

Keywords: Asymmetric catalysis, electronic effect, electron tuning, enantioselectivity, metal catalyst, organic catalyst