A review on solvent-controlled stereodivergent catalysis

Stereodivergent catalysis, the art of accessing multiple stereoisomers from the same starting materials, has been a keystone of modern organic chemistry. Among the numerous factors influencing stereoselectivity, the choice of solvent plays an important role for the formation of particular isomer. This review elucidates the profound impact of solvent properties on stereoselective outcomes in organic synthesis. By virtue of its unique physicochemical attributes, the solvent environment can exert diverse effects on reaction pathways, conformational preferences, and intermolecular interactions, ultimately dictating the stereochemical fate of the reactants. In particular, recent elegant examples of solvent-controlled stereodivergent reactions have been categorically highlighted with emphasis on mechanistic aspects as well as synthetic potential.