Work

Chiral inorganic materials for asymmetric catalysis: mechanistic origins and design principles

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Asymmetric catalysis, which directs a reaction preferentially toward one enantiomer over its non-superimposable mirror image, is crucial for synthesizing chiral molecules with defined stereochemistry. Such selectivity is indispensable in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and advanced materials, where opposite enantiomers often display markedly different properties and functions. Conventional asymmetric catalysis primarily relies on molecular catalysts, yet these often suffer from stability, recovery, and reaction scope, while chiral inorganic catalysts have recently gained attention as robust alternatives capable of tolerating demanding conditions and offer new routes to stereocontrol. In this review, we propose a mechanism-based classification of chiral inorganic catalysts into six categories: chiral ligand-induced catalysis, spin-polarized catalysis through the chiral-induced spin selectivity effect, photoinduced asymmetric catalysis, chiral confinement-driven catalysis, nanozyme-like catalysis, and chiral lattice-induced catalysis. This review shifts the focus from material type to mechanistic origin, enabling a clearer connection between chirality and catalytic function. We suggest that mechanistic understanding will support the rational design of efficient, selective, and long-lasting chiral inorganic catalysts, and open new directions in asymmetric catalysis.

Source: Science China Materials

DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3734-7

Authors: Weiweihe Liu, Tao Yao, Zhifeng Huang

Institutions: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen

Language: English

Topic: Asymmetric Synthesis and Catalysis

Subfield: Organic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,790

Funder: Chinese University of Hong Kong