Enantioselective electrophilic activation of aldehydes, esters and imines via N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis

We summarize in this review the recent key progress in the NHC-catalyzed electrophilic activation of carbonyl compounds for the regioselective functionalization of saccharides, enantioselective construction of heterocycles, and asymmetric synthesis of axially and planar chiral molecules.