Squaramide Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Five- and Six-Membered Rings

Chiral analogues of squaramides have been fruitful in organocatalyzed asymmetric reactions over last decade. Alongside other H-bonding catalysts like ureas, thioureas: squaramides have been proved to be efficient asymmetric catalysts for the formation of acyclic and cyclic chiral molecules. A wide range of cyclic molecules bearing multiple functionalities and stereocenters have been synthesized by using several bifunctional squaramides as catalysts. These catalysts perform as base utilizing basic N atom in their chiral extension and help in stereoinduction by forming H-bonds with suitable H-bond acceptors. The present review focuses on assembling recent progresses of asymmetric synthesis of five and six membered rings promoted by squaramides. A handful of articles have been published by several research groups documenting asymmetric construction of five- and six-membered rings as part of interesting and complex molecular architectures. Different methodologies like conventional and formal cycloadditions or cascade reactions have been engineered through the assistance of chiral squaramides to fabricate the carbo- and heterocycles. This review also includes dual and cooperative catalytic system in which squaramide is one of the catalysts.