Photoinduced enantioselective transformations via o-quinodimethane intermediates

The effective stereoselective control of transient intermediates remains a formidable challenge in synthetic chemistry. o-Quinodimethane generated by photo-irradation has been extensively investigated and widely utilized as a nucleophilic surrogate. Nevertheless, enantioselective transformations involving o-quinodimethane are still underdeveloped, due to the persistent challenges in intercepting these intermediates and achieving effective stereoselective control with chiral catalysts. In this review, we summarize recent advances in photoinduced enantioselective reactions of o-quinodimethane, highlighting catalytic strategies, mechanistic insights, and current limitations in the field.