Enantiopure 1,2-Diarylethane-1,2-diols as Chiral Auxiliaries in Stereoselective Processes: Induction of Molecular and Supramolecular Chirality

This review discusses how 1,2-diarylethane-1,2-diols have been used to control stereoselective processes leading to the induction of a prevailing chirality in molecular and supramolecular structures. To this end this article is divided into three parts. (i) in the first one are described the synthesis and the stereochemical characterization of the above compounds; (ii) part two deals with the use of 1 as chiral auxiliaries in stereoselective processes (i.e. induction of a prevailing sense of chirality at a molecular level); (iii) part three discusses the use of derivatives of 1 as inducers of cholesteric mesophases in nematic solvents (i.e. induction of a prevailing sense of chirality at a supramolecular level).