Rotational symmetry of chiral catalysts may simplify catalyst development.It leads to a reduction in the number of diastereomeric intermediates andtransition states which constitute the complex reaction network underlying acatalytic process. This was first realized by Kagan three decades ago1 andhas since been extensively exploited.2 This seminar lecture will focus on thedevelopment of stereodirecting ligands possessing C2- and C3-symmetry andthe ways in which this leads to simpler stereochemistry and efficientcatalysts.We have recently developed a series of chiral stereodirecting pincerligands which were found to be very efficient for a range of enantioselectivetransformations.3,4 Another case history concerns the use of C3-chiral tripodligands as facially binding stereodirecting ligands.5(1) H. B. Kagan, T. P. Dang, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1972, 94, 6429.(2) Early reviews: a) J. K. Whitesell, Chem. Rev. 1989, 89, 1581. c) H. Brunner, Top. Stereochem.1988, 18, 129.(3) a) B. K. Langlotz, H. Wadepohl, L. H. Gade, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2008, 47, 4670. b) D. C.Sauer, H. Wadepohl, L. H. Gade, Inorg. Chem. 2012, 51, 12948.(4) a) Q.-H. Deng, H. Wadepohl, L. H. Gade, Chem. Eur. J. 2011, 17, 14922. b) Q.-H. Deng, H.Wadepohl, L. H. Gade, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 2946 & J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134,10769. c) Q.-H. Deng, T. Bleith, H. Wadepohl, L. H. Gade, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 5356.(5) See for example: a) C. Foltz, B. Stecker, G. Marconi, S. Bellemin-Laponnaz, H. Wadepohl, L. H.Gade, Chem. Eur. J. 2007, 13, 9912. b) L. H. Gade, S. Bellemin-Laponnaz, Chem. Eur. J. 2008,14, 4242. c) J. Lloret Fillol, A. Kruckenberg, P. Scherl, H. Wadepohl, L. H. Gade, Chem. Eur. J.2011, 17, 14047.