Desymmetrization

Desymmetrization is a chemical reaction that converts prochiral substrates into chiral products.

[1] According to IUPAC, desymmetrization involves the "... the conversion of a prochiral molecular entity into a chiral one.

"[2] Typical substrates are epoxides, diols, dienes, and cyclic carboxylic acid anhydrides.

[3] In another example, a symmetrical cyclic imide is subjected to asymmetric deprotonation resulting in a chiral product with high enantioselectivity.

[6] A related example is the hydrolysis of prochiral diesters catalyzed by chiral phosphoric acids.