Mechanisms of asymmetric induction in catalytic hydrogenation, hydrosilylation and cross-coupling on metal complexes

The current state of studies on the mechanisms of asymmetric hydrogenation, hydrosilylation and cross-coupling induced by metal complexes is considered. The possibilities for the identification of stages of catalytic reactions involving asymmetric induction are analysed. The classification of the types of asymmetric induction according to the differences in these stages is proposed. In most cases, asymmetric induction occurs in the stage of substrate coordination by catalytic complexes (the key–lock interaction). Evidence is presented in favour of the assumption that the asymmetric carbon atom is formed in the product in the stages of transformations of the asymmetric intermediate, even though the starting chiral catalytic complex is C₂-symmetric. The bibliography includes 118 references.