Asymmetric Synthesis with Fischer Carbene Complexes:  The Development of Imidazolidinone and Oxazolidinone Complexes

Versatile, efficient reagents for asymmetric synthesis can be generated in one step from alkoxy or acetoxy Fischer carbene complexes and the commercial chiral auxiliary 1,5-dimethyl-4-phenyl-2-imidazolidinone. A review of the applications of these complexes in asymmetric synthesis is presented, as well as a summary of the other types of chiral carbene complexes that have been utilized in asymmetric synthesis.