Asymmetric photoreactions within zeolites: role of confinement and alkali metal ions

In this Account strategies using zeolites as media to achieve chiral induction are presented. Diastereomeric excesses as high as 90% and enantiomeric excesses up to 78% have been obtained with selected systems within zeolites. The same systems show no asymmetric induction in solution. Chiral induction is dependent on the alkali ions present in the zeolites. Alkali ions control not only the extent of asymmetric induction but often the isomer being enhanced. Results of ab initio computations have allowed us to gain an insight into the observed selectivity within zeolites