Thieme Chemistry Journal Awardees - Where Are They Now? Asymmetric Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenations

Asymmetric hydrogenations are of great importance in the synthesisof optically active amines. This account highlights the developmentof the first metal-free transfer hydrogenation that is both highlyenantioselective and inspired by nature’s dehydrogen-ase.Further focus is given to the extension of this bioinspired processto provide a variety of valuable, biologically active products andnatural products under mild reaction conditions. 1 Introduction 2 Nature’s Reductions: Dehydrogenases as a Role Model 3 Bronsted Acid catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketimines 4 Asymmetric Organocatalytic Reduction of Quinolines 5 Asymmetric Organocatalytic Reduction of N-Heterocycles 5.1 Asymmetric Bronsted Acid Catalyzed Hydrogenationof -Indoles 5.2 Asymmetric Bronsted Acid Catalyzed Hydrogenationof Benzoxazines, Benzthiazines, Benzoxazinones, Quinoxalines, Quinoxalinonesand Benzodiazepinones 6 Asymmetric Organocatalytic Reduction of Pyridines 7 Asymmetric Organocatalytic Reductions in Cascade -Sequences 8 Conclusion