The ASI workshop on "Selectivities in Lewis Acid Promoted Reactions" held in the Emmantina-Hotel in Athens-Glyfada, Greece, October 2-7, 1988 was held to bring some light into the darkness of Lewis acid induced processes. As such the workshop reflects some current trends in organic synthesis, where Lewis acids are becoming a powerful tool in many different modern reactions, e.g. Diels-Alder reactions, Ene reactions, Sakurai reactions, and in general silicon and tin chemistry. The objective of this meeting was to bring together most of the world experts in the field to discuss the major reactions promoted by Lewis acids. Organic synthesis will play a major role in this book connected with some fundamental mechanistic work on allylsilane and -tin chemistry. Both natural product synthesis and unnatural molecules are presented in the chapters. The book presents all the 15 invited lectures and the contributions of 15 posters. I am confident that the material presented in this book will stimulate the chemistry, which has been discussed on our meeting, around the world. The meeting and the book were only possible through a grant of the NATO Scientific Affairs Devision and financial support by the following companies: Kali Chemie (Hannover, W-Germany), E. Merck (Darmstadt, W-Germany), Sandoz (Basel, Switzerland), Schering (Berlin, W-Germany).

Lewis acids provide inexpensive access to elaborated molecules obtained with high selectivities (regio-, stereo-, and enantioselectivity). Lewis Acids and Selectivity in Organic Synthesis is the first book to deal with these new and promising roles of Lewis acids. The book begins with general considerations on Lewis acids and a description of Lewis acid-carbonyl complexes, which are involved in most of the reactions described: ene reactions, allylsilane and allyltin addition to carbonyl compounds, addition of nucleophiles to acetals, conjugated addition of allylsilanes and allyltins to unsaturated carbonyl compounds (Sakurai reaction), and Diels-Alder reaction. Subsequent chapters examine these issue in detail, with special attention given to the way Lewis acids induce diastereo- and enantioselectivity. The extensive use of schemes (approximately 1000) ensures rapid visual uptake of the information. Lewis Acids and Selectivity in Organic Synthesis serves as a valuable source of information for all who face the challenge of selectivity in organic synthesis.

Written by experts in the field, this is a much-needed overview of the rapidly emerging field of cooperative catalysis. The authors focus on the design and development of novel high-performance catalysts for applications in organic synthesis (particularly asymmetric synthesis), covering a broad range of topics, from the latest progress in Lewis acid / Br?nsted base catalysis to e.g. metal-assisted organo catalysis, cooperative metal/enzyme catalysis, and cooperative catalysis in polymerization reactions and on solid surfaces. The chapters are classified according to the type of cooperating activating groups, and describe in detail the different strategies of cooperative activation, highlighting their respective advantages and pitfalls. As a result, readers will learn about the different concepts of cooperative catalysis, their corresponding modes of operation and their applications, thus helping to find a solution to a specific synthetic catalysis problem.

Explores the potential of new types of anion-binding catalysts to solve challenging synthetic problems Anion-Binding Catalysis introduces readers to the use of anion-binding processes in catalytic chemical activation, exploring how this approach can contribute to the future design of novel synthetic transformations. Featuring contributions by world-renowned scientists in the field, this authoritative volume describes the structure, properties, and catalytic applications of anions as well as synthetic applications and practical analytical methods. In-depth chapters are organized by type of catalyst rather than reaction type, providing readers with an accessible overview of the existing classes of effective catalysts. The authors discuss the use of halogens as counteranions, the combination of (thio)urea and squaramide-based anion-binding with other types of organocatalysis, anion-binding catalysis by pnictogen and tetrel bonding, nucleophilic co-catalysis, anion-binding catalysis by pnictogen and tetrel bonding, and more. Helping readers appreciate and evaluate the potential of anion-binding catalysis, this timely book: Illustrates the historical development, activation mode, and importance of anion-binding in chemical catalysis Explains the analytic methods used to determine the anion-binding affinity of the catalysts Describes catalytic and synthetic applications of common NH- and OH-based hydrogen-donor catalysts as well as C-H triazole/triazolium catalysts Covers amino-catalysis involving enamine, dienamine, or iminium activation approaches Discusses new trends in the field of anion-binding catalysis, such as the combination of anion-binding with other types of catalysis Presenting the current state of the field as well as the synthetic potential of anion-binding catalysis in future, Anion-Binding Catalysis is essential reading for researchers in both academia and industry involved in organic synthesis, homogeneous catalysis, and pharmaceutical chemistry.

This book highlights recently discovered aspects of “middle-size molecules,” focusing on (1) their unique bio-functions on the basis of derivatives and conjugates of natural products, saccharides, peptides, and nucleotides; (2) the synthesis of structurally complex natural products; (3) special synthetic methods for π-conjugated functional molecules; and (4) novel synthetic methods using flow chemistry. Given its scope, the book is of interest to industrial researchers and graduate students in the fields of organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and materials science.

The use of water as a medium for promoting organic reactions has been rather neglected in the development of organic synthesis, despite the fact that it is the solvent in which almost all biochemical processes take place. Chemists have only recently started to appreciate the enormous potential water has to offer in the development of new synthetic reactions and strategies, where it can offer benefits in both unique chemistry and reduced environmental impact. In this new book, the editor, well known for his contribution to the development of water as a useful medium in synthetic organic chemistry, has assembled an international team of authors, themselves at the forefront of research into the use of the unique properties of water carrying out organic transformations, to provide a timely and concise overview of current research. By focusing on the practical use of water in synthetic organic chemistry, and with the concern for the use of solvents in organic chemistry, professional chemists, particularly those involved in industrial research and development, will find this book an essential guide to the current state of the art, and a useful starting point in their own research. Academic chemists, including postgraduate and advanced undergraduate students, will find this book an invaluable guide to this exciting and important area of chemistry.