Since the pioneering work of Merck scientists on the enantioselective C-methylation of indanones in the mid-late 1980's, a large number of methods that use chiral quaternary ammonium catalysts have been discovered. High levels of enantioselectivity can be realized in a wide range of reactions, including Michael, enolate alkylation, Aldol, Mannich, as well as formation of aziridines and epoxides. A historical perspective of the use and the design of new chiral quaternary ammonium phase transfer catalysts (PTC's) in the development of highly efficient syntheses of several Merck drug candidates will be presented.

Use of asymmetric phase transfer catalysis in the design and development of highly efficient, innovative, and practical processes for drug candidate synthesis

247th National Meeting (2014)

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