Chiral hexacoordinated phosphates: From pioneering studies to modern uses in stereochemistry

Chiral cationic molecular structures and supramolecular assemblies can be effectively analyzed, resolved and stereocontrolled through an asymmetric ion pairing with enantiopure hexacoordinated phosphate anions like TRISPHAT or BINPHAT. After an historical perspective on the development of these anionic reagents, this account describes their synthesis and their use as chiral NMR solvating, resolving and asymmetry-inducing reagents.