Catalytic enantioselective reductive desymmetrisation of achiral and meso compounds

Herein an overview of reductive catalytic enantioselective desymmetrisation of achiral or meso compounds is provided. The most efficient reductive desymmetrisations described in the literature, which involve the reduction of C[double bond, length as m-dash]O, C[double bond, length as m-dash]N, C[double bond, length as m-dash]C and C–halogen bonds, or reductive ring-opening, are summarised. The structural diversity of the valuable highly enantioenriched intermediates prepared by reductive desymmetrisation is highlighted.