Optical resolution of H/D isotopic chirality via asymmetric C-H amination.

A catalytic method achieves high enantioselectivity (S = 83.1) in resolving H/D isotopic chirality in benzylic and allylic compounds.

• Why it matters: Isotopic chirality is difficult to resolve optically due to minimal stereochemical differences, limiting understanding and application of these molecules in stereochemistry and catalysis.
• What they did: The researchers developed an enantioselective C-H functionalization approach that exploits the small energy difference between C-H and C-D bonds, enabling kinetic resolution of racemic isotopically chiral molecules.
• The result: This method allows for the isolation of highly enantioenriched isotopically chiral substrates and demonstrates the preservation of stereochemical memory during radical recombination, advancing stereochemical resolution techniques.