Asymmetric a-Functionalization of Carboxylic Acids/Esters

The direct -functionalization of simple acyclic carboxylic acid derivatives is a challenging task and this project aims on the development of new strategies to carry out such reactions in an asymmetric fashion. We will hereby rely on the use of chiral Lewis base catalysts which provide a highly reactive chiral ammonium enolate intermediate upon reaction with simple starting materials. This intermediate will then undergo the targeted asymmetric -hetero- and carbofunctionalization reactions. The hereby accessed enantioenriched products are of high value for further applications and therefore this project will provide powerful tools to overcome challenging synthesis problem and will give access to a variety of interesting chiral small molecules in a so far unprecedented and highly efficient manner relying on simple starting materials.