Achieving the asymmetric activation of unfunctionalized hydrocarbons remains a difficult problem for chemists. Now, a confined iIDP catalyst overcomes this challenge by promoting an asymmetric hydroalkoxylation of bicyclobutanes. The enantioselectivity is controlled by non-covalent interactions between the confined anion of ilDP and a cyclopropylcarbinyl ion intermediate.
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This is a summary of: Shi, F. et al. Catalytic asymmetric activation of bicyclobutanes. Nat. Synth. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44160-025-00951-z (2026).
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Organocatalytic asymmetric hydroalkoxylation of bicyclobutanes. Nat. Synth (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44160-025-00957-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44160-025-00957-7
