Cryptands, a class of three-dimensional macrobicyclic hosts ideally suited for accommodating small guest ions, have played an important role in the early development of supramolecular chemistry. In contrast to related two-dimensional crown ethers, cryptands have so far only found limited applications, owing in large part to their relatively inefficient multistep synthesis. We have recently desc...

The development of a Ni(II) (S)-Tol-BINAP-catalyzed enantioselective alkylation of N-acylthiazolidinethiones with trimethyl orthoformate is described. The reaction is general with respect to the thiazolidinethione, providing the desired adducts in good to excellent yield and with high levels of enantioselectivity (11 examples, 51-92% yield, 90-99% ee). The products are readily converted into a ...