One aspect of the present invention relates to 
quinine-based and 
quinidine-based catalysts. In certain embodiments, the 
quinine-based and 
quinidine-based catalysts contain a 
hydroxy group at the 6′ position. In certain embodiments, the 
quinine-based and 
quinidine-based catalysts contain an O-
aryl group or an O-aroyl group at the C9 position. In certain embodiments, the quinine-based and quinidine-based catalysts contain an optionally substituted O-diazene group or an optionally substituted O-benzoyl group at the C9 position. In certain embodiments, the quinine-based and quinidine-based catalysts contain a 
thiourea at the C9 position. In certain embodiments, the quinine-based and quinidine-based catalysts contain an NH(═S)NH-
aryl group at the C9 position. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of preparing a chiral, non-racemic compound from a prochiral 
electron-deficient 
alkene or prochiral 
imine, comprising the step of: reacting a prochiral 
alkene or 
imine with a 
nucleophile in the presence of a catalyst; thereby producing a chiral, non-racemic compound; wherein said catalyst is a derivatized quinine or quinidine. In certain embodiments, the 
nucleophile is a 
malonate or β-ketoester. In certain embodiments the 
nucleophile is an 
alkyl or 
aryl or aralkyl 2-cyano-2-alkylacetate. In certain embodiments the nucleophile is an 
alkyl or aryl or aralkyl 2-cyano-2-alkylacetate.Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of 
kinetic resolution, comprising the step of: reacting a racemic 
aldehyde or racemic 
ketone with a nucleophile in the presence of a derivatized quinine or quinidine, thereby producing a non-racemic, chiral compound. In certain embodiments, the 
kinetic resolution is dynamic.