Chapter 2: Dynamic Kinetic Resolutions Promoted by Cinchona Alkaloid Catalysts

Since their first use reported by Deng in 2002 to promote an enantioselective alcoholytic ring-opening reaction evolving through dynamic kinetic resolution, cinchona alkaloids have become the most applied organocatalysts in the field of dynamic kinetic resolution. This chapter includes all types of dynamic kinetic resolution promoted by these powerful catalysts, spanning from alcoholytic/thiolytic ring-opening reactions, domino reactions, nucleophilic additions to carbonyl compounds, such as cyanocarbonations and (nitro)-aldol reactions, O-alkylations, brominations, and synthesis of sulfonates and phosphates/phosphoramidates, to other types of transformations. In many cases, remarkable enantioselectivities of up to >99% ee have been achieved.