One aspect of the present invention relates to
quinine-based and
quinidine-based catalysts. In certain embodiments, the
quinine-based and
quinidine-based catalysts contain a
hydroxy group at the 6′ position. In certain embodiments, the
quinine-based and
quinidine-based catalysts contain an O-
aryl group or an O-aroyl group at the C9 position. In certain embodiments, the quinine-based and quinidine-based catalysts contain an optionally substituted O-diazene group or an optionally substituted O-benzoyl group at the C9 position. In certain embodiments, the quinine-based and quinidine-based catalysts contain a
thiourea at the C9 position. In certain embodiments, the quinine-based and quinidine-based catalysts contain an NH(═S)NH-
aryl group at the C9 position. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of preparing a chiral, non-racemic compound from a prochiral
electron-deficient
alkene or prochiral
imine, comprising the step of: reacting a prochiral
alkene or
imine with a
nucleophile in the presence of a catalyst; thereby producing a chiral, non-racemic compound; wherein said catalyst is a derivatized quinine or quinidine. In certain embodiments, the
nucleophile is a
malonate or β-ketoester. In certain embodiments the
nucleophile is an
alkyl or
aryl or aralkyl 2-cyano-2-alkylacetate. In certain embodiments the nucleophile is an
alkyl or aryl or aralkyl 2-cyano-2-alkylacetate.Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of
kinetic resolution, comprising the step of: reacting a racemic
aldehyde or racemic
ketone with a nucleophile in the presence of a derivatized quinine or quinidine, thereby producing a non-racemic, chiral compound. In certain embodiments, the
kinetic resolution is dynamic.