Photoinduced asymmetric alkylation of imines

Chemical catalysis has been extensively developed through asymmetric organocatalysis or transition metal catalysis, offering efficient pathways for the asymmetric construction of chiral amines. Recently, merging photocatalysis with asymmetric alkylation of imines has become a potent tool, significantly expanding the synthetic toolbox for chiral amine synthesis. By leveraging energy transfer or single-electron transfer processes, these reactions enable precise control over radical intermediates, thereby broadening both the reaction scope and functional group compatibility. This review highlights recent progress in photoinduced asymmetric alkylation of imines, focusing on catalytic systems and mechanistic insights. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.