Recent Advances in the Catalytic Applications of Chiral Schiff-Base Ligands and Metal Complexes in Asymmetric Organic Transformations

The Schiff base and its metal complexes are extensively studied for their adaptable metal chelating properties. Their ability to alter the design and modify it for various organic and biological applications makes them versatile compounds. The chiral Schiff base and their metal complexes possess excellent stability in very high temperatures, making them a suitable candidate for organocatalysts in reactions involving harsh conditions. Besides, these chiral complexes of Schiff base can transform their chirality in the final product formed in different chemical reactions. This stereo-induction by the chiral metal complexes of Schiff base is considerably valuable for synthesizing high optically active compounds in the field of medicinal and natural product synthesis. Thus, this review emphasizes the latest and relevant literature concerning the asymmetric catalysis of chiral Schiff base ligand-metal complexes in various synthetic organic transformation reactions. The synthesis and the catalytic mechanisms of various reactions are discussed, including their enantioselectivities, diastereoselectivities, regioselectivities, and stereoselectivities of different complexes to organic transformation.

Automated summary

The Schiff base and its metal complexes are versatile compounds with adaptable metal chelating properties. The chiral Schiff base complexes exhibit excellent stability in high temperatures and can induce stereochemistry in different chemical reactions for synthesizing highly optically active compounds.