Progress in Transition Metal-Catalyzed Asymmetric Ring-Opening Reactions of Epoxides and Aziridines

Epoxides and aziridines are important three-membered cyclic compounds, which exhibit high reactivity due to their strong strain in molecules. The asymmetric ring-opening reactions of epoxides and aziridines catalyzed by transition metals are efficient strategies for the construction of chiral molecules containing O/N atoms. In this way, a series of chiral alcohols, chiral amines and chiral heterocycles can be constructed. The recent progress in transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric ring-opening reactions of epoxides and aziridines in the past two decades is reviewed with emphasis on the influence of the kinds of transition metal catalysts, nucleophiles, and ligands. Furthermore, the possible reaction mechanisms and applications for the asymmetric ring-opening reactions are discussed, and the future development in this field is also prospected.