Chiral sulfur-containing ligands for asymmetric catalysis

This review compiles the catalytic systems containing chiral sulfur ligands that have been applied in asymmetric catalysis from 1999 to 2006. This compilation clearly demonstrates that chiral sulfur-containing ligands represent a potential class of ligands to be applied in a considerable number of reactions, and that they have some peculiar properties, which differentiate them from more popular ligands such as those of phosphorus. In particular, the stereoelectronic assistance of organosulfur functionalities and the possibility of stereocontrol through stereogenic sulfur atoms can provide interesting results in many applications.