Recent applications of axially chiral skeletons in asymmetric catalysis

Axially chiral skeletons provide a molecular foundation for constructing chiral environments in asymmetric catalysis by leveraging their rigid conformational architectures and tunable electronic properties. This perspective systematically elucidates the applications of such skeletons, from metal ligands to organocatalysts, through representative case studies. In metal catalysis, coordination with diverse metal centers enables efficient asymmetric induction. In organocatalysis, mechanisms such as hydrogen bonding and ion pairing allow direct substrate activation and stereochemical control. Notably, their applications in cooperative catalysis and photo-/electrocatalysis have led to breakthroughs in stereodiscrimination of highly reactive intermediates, expanding the frontiers of asymmetric synthesis. Future developments in this field will focus on function-oriented catalyst design, innovations in photo-/electrocatalytic systems, and industrial translation, thereby providing sustained driving force for the precise construction of complex chiral molecules.