Access to Axially Chiral Aryl Aldehydes via Carbene-Catalyzed Nitrile Formation and Desymmetrization Reaction.

An approach utilizing N-heterocyclic carbene for nitrile formation and desymmetrization reaction is developed. The process involves kinetic resolution, with the axially chiral aryl monoaldehydes obtained in moderate yields with excellent optical purities. These axially chiral aryl monoaldehydes can be conveniently transformed into functionalized molecules, showing great potential as catalysts in organic chemistry.