2,2'-Dihydroxy -1,1'-binaphthyl (BINOL ) and its derivatives: Selected synthesis methods and applications. Part I

1,1’-Binaphthyl and its derivatives represent a particular class of chemical molecules which chirality results from the restricted rotation about single bond of the two naphthalene rings. This generates the chirality axis. Therefore 1,1’-binaphthyl derivatives exist as two enantiomeric forms called atropoisomers. Moreover, 1,1’- binaphthyls with substituents at 2,2’ position exhibit higher rotational barriers around the 1,1’-axis, which affect a very stable chiral configuration. The classical examples of such molecules is 2,2-dihydroxy-1,1’-binaphthyl (BINOL ), which has become one of the most utilized chiral ligand and auxiliary for diverse asymmetric syntheses. The unchallenged success of BINOL and its derivatives in the field of transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric reactions or C-C bond forming reactions promoted worldwide an advancement of organic synthesis. The first synthesis of BINOL as racemate was described in 1873. Since then there have been found numerous efficient methods of racemic or enantiomerically pure BINOL preparation and its derivatization. In order to present a brief overview of the most convenient and facile routes to obtain racemic and nonracemic symmetrically substituted 1,1’-binaphthyls based on stoichiometric and catalytic oxidative coupling, classical optical resolution, kinetic enzymatic resolution of racemic mixture or regioselective modification of the binaphthol scaffold the following article is presented