Thiamine-based photobiocatalysis for the enantioselective construction of all-carbon quaternary stereocentres with two minimally different alkyl groups (opens in new tab)

The enantiodiscrimination of minimally distinct alkyl groups, such as methyl versus ethyl groups, remains a formidable challenge due to the subtle steric and electronic differences involved. Concurrently, the stereoselective construction of all-carbon quaternary stereocentres is inherently hindered by steric congestion. The convergence of these two challenges, enantioselectively constructing all-carbon quaternary centres bearing minimally distinct alkyl substituents, represents a notable chal...