Dynamic resolutions in asymmetric synthesis

Asymmetric synthesis is one of the most important challenges facing synthetic organic chemists. Most methods used for the preparation of enantiomerically enriched chiral organic molecules involve stereocontrolled formation of the new stereogenic centre. An alternative is to effect a resolution of a stereochemical mixture of isomers; however this is generally limited to 50% yield. Dynamic resolution can avoid this fundamental limitation and can be a successful method for producing >50% yield of stereochemically pure material. The success of this approach relies on induced substrate lability and product stability under the reaction conditions.