The use of light-absorbing chiral iminium ions enables novel syntheses
Researchers have created a new class of organic catalysts that mimic the way vertebrate vision works when light excites iminium ions, unlocking previously inaccessible reaction pathways which allow stereochemical control of the end product. The approach could lead to novel catalytic frameworks for enantioselective photochemistry and chiral molecule synthesis, which could be particularly useful for finding new drug molecules.