Abstract

This review deals with the metal promoted asymmetric ring opening of achiral epoxides using achiral carbon-, nitrogen-, oxygen-, sulphur- and halogen-containing nucleophiles. The use of chiral bases in the asymmetric deprotonation of achiral epoxides yields chiral allylic alcohols. Finally, kinetic resolution of racemic epoxides can be achieved using chiral metal complexes.

Keywords: asymmetric opening, nucleophiles, enantioselective addition, electrophile