Teaching Enantioselectivity to C-H Bond Functionalizations: Initial Steps of a Rather Long Shot

The direct functionalization of non-activated C-H bonds, especially in an enantioselective manner, requires metal catalysts equipped with ligands with specifically designed properties. Examples for asymmetric C(sp(2))-H and C(sp(3))-H functionalizations using palladium- and rhodium catalysts are shown. This work was rewarded by the 2012 Werner Prize of the Swiss Chemical Society.