Helical Chiral Pyridine N‐Oxides: A New Family of Asymmetric Catalysts

Helical Chiral Catalysts: The gram-scale synthesis of 1-azahelicenes, structural characterization of the corresponding N-oxides, and the application of this new family of catalysts to the catalytic, enantioselective ring-opening of meso epoxides is described (see scheme). Included is the first demonstration that the appropriate structural modifications beneath the plane of the pyridine N-oxide can serve as a powerful means for tuning the catalyst enantioselectivity.