Our group is exploring the use of aromatic ions in catalysis. With this program, we are seeking to develop broadly applicable paradigms for substrate activation that capitalize on the unique reactivity of ionic aromatic motifs. This lecture will focus on our development of cyclopropenimines as a highly effective platform for enantioselective Bronsted base catalysis and pentacarboxycyclopentadienes (PCCPs) as a new class of enantioselective Bronsted acid catalysts.Tristan Lambert, Columbia,