Enantioselective organocatalytic transfer hydrogenation reactions using Hantzsch esters

Within the realm of catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation, the focus continues to be on the use of chiral metal complexes in conjunction with a hydrogen source. Recently, the widespread development of organocatalysis, including the invention of iminium activation, has led to the discovery of many new enantioselective transformations. Based on this strategy, a number of bioinspired processes for the enantioselective organocatalytic transfer hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and imines have been discovered. These topics will be the focus of this Account.