In 1949, Winstein and Trifan proposed that the 2-norbornyl cation adopts a bridged, non-classical structure. Now, the generation of an asymmetric environment around the three-centre two-electron bond of such an ion has been reported, enabling highly enantioselective catalytic addition reactions to a simple, non-functionalized non-classical cation.
- Roberta Properzi
- Philip S. J. Kaib
- Benjamin List
