Alpha,alpha-diarylprolinols: bifunctional organocatalysts for asymmetric synthesis.

Readily accessible alpha,alpha-diarylprolinols have been recently exploited as useful organocatalysts in different asymmetric reactions. It has been proposed that they operate either via bifunctional activation of the reactive partners through non-covalent interactions or via formation of covalent enamine and iminium intermediates. This feature article describes the employment of alpha,alpha-diarylprolinols as catalysts in the epoxidation of alpha,beta-enones, aldol reaction, cycloaddition, and carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond forming reactions.