Nucleophilic and Electrophilic Activation of Non-Heteroaromatic Amides in Atom-Economical Asymmetric Catalysis

Recent advances in catalytic asymmetric carbon–carbon bond-forming reactions of non-heteroaromatic amide substrates are highlighted. Among carbonyl compounds, amides have received limited attention in catalytic asymmetric transformations mainly owing to their lower reactivity. Amides are reluctant to form enolates for nucleophilic addition, and α,β-unsaturated amides exhibit diminished electrophilicity at the β-carbon. Recent advances in asymmetric catalysis rendered these amides amenable to enantioselective reactions with perfect atom economy, producing synthetically useful chiral building blocks. This Minireview summarizes recent developments in the field.