The highly enantioselective catalytic aza-Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction

The highly enantioselective aza-Morita–Baylis–Hillman (aza-MBH) reaction is one of the most important reactions for the synthesis of optically active α-methylene-β-amino carbonyl compounds. The use of chiral phosphines or amines as organocatalysts can be envisaged for this catalytic asymmetric reaction. This mini review focuses on the important developments with regard to asymmetric aza-MBH reactions catalyzed by chiral phosphines or amines or even organometallic complexes in recent decades and also on the perspectives that these new developments offer.