Catalytic, enantioselective addition of substituted allylic trichlorosilanes using a rationally-designed 2,2'-bispyrrolidine-based bisphosphoramide.

TL;DR: It has become increasingly apparent that the behavior of Lewis bases as agents for promoting chemical reactions is not merely as an electronic complement of the cognate Lewis acids: in fact Lewis bases are capable of enhancing both the electrophilic and nucleophilic character of molecules to which they are bound.

TL;DR: The development of chiral amines such as pyrrolidine analogues have emerged as a broadly applicable class of organocatalyst for asymmetric conjugate addition via enamine activation, emphasizing the design and mechanistic features that supply high selectivity in asymmetric Michael reactions.

TL;DR: A long-standing challenge to synthesis can now be met through the use of new and powerful catalytic asymmetric reactions for the assembly of complex chiral molecules with quaternary stereocenters from achiral building blocks.