Biaryl synthesis with control of axial chirality

Biaryls have been a persistent focus of interest for chemists since it was recognised, more than 80 years ago, that they can manifest the axial chirality that is inherent in structures consisting of intersecting dissymmetric planes. In recent decades their importance has risen steeply as this structural motif proved spectacularly successful in catalytic synthetic roles and was found to be significant in the context of biological activity. As a consequence, synthetic methods which allowed the construction of biaryls with axial stereocontrol have become highly desirable, and this article traces the development of non-resolution approaches to biaryls with a chosen axial configuration. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2006.