| Abstract: | The alkylation of ketones is taught at basic undergraduate level. In many cases this transformation leads to the formation of a new stereogenic center. However, the apparent simplicity of the transformation is belied by a number of problems. So much so, that a general method for the direct asymmetric alkylation of ketones remains an unmet target. Despite the advancement of organocatalysis and transition‐metal catalysis, neither field has provided an adequate solution. Indeed, even use of an efficient and general stoichiometric chiral reagent has yet to be reported. Herein we describe the state‐of‐the‐art in terms of direct alkylation reactions of some carbonyl groups. We outline the limited progress that has been made with ketones, and potential routes towards ultimately achieving a widely applicable methodology for the asymmetric alkylation of ketones. |
