Recently, the use of enantiomerically pure counteranions for the induction of asymmetry in reactions proceeding through cationic intermediates has emerged as an exciting new concept, which has been termed asymmetric counteranion-directed catalysis (ACDC). Despite its success, the concept has not been fully defined and systematically discussed to date. This Review closes this gap by providing a clear definition of ACDC and by examining both clear cases as well as more ambiguous examples to illustrate the differences and overlaps with other catalysis concepts.
Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.