Asymmetric synthesis remains a challenge to practicing scientistsas the need for enantiomerically pure or enriched compoundscontinues to increase. Over the last decade, a large amount ofliterature has been published in this field. Principles andApplications of Asymmetric Synthesis consolidates and evaluates themost useful methodologies into a one-volume resource for theconvenience of practicing scientists and students. Authored by internationally renowned scientists in the field, thisreliable reference covers more than 450 reactions and includesimportant stoichiometric as well as catalytic asymmetric reactions.The first chapter reviews the basic principles, commonnomenclature, and analytical methods, and the remainder of the bookis organized according to reaction type. The text examines suchtopics as: Carbon-carbon bond formations involving carbonyls, enamines,imines, and enolates Asymmetric C-O bond formations including epoxidation,dihydroxylation, and aminohydroxylation Asymmetric synthesis using the Diels-Alder reaction and othercyclizations Applications to the total synthesis of natural products Use of enzymes in asymmetric synthesis Practicing chemists in the pharmaceutical, fine chemical, andagricultural professions as well as graduate students will findthat Principles and Applications of Asymmetric Synthesis affordscomprehensive and current coverage.

The world is chiral. Most of the molecules in it are chiral, and asymmetric synthesis is an important means by which enantiopure chiral molecules may be obtained for study and sale. Using examples from the literature of asymmetric synthesis (more than 1300 references), the aim of this book is to present a detailed analysis of the factors that govern stereoselectivity in organic reactions. It is important to note that the references were each individually checked by the authors to verify relevance to the topics under discussion. The study of stereoselectivity has evolved from issues of diastereoselectivity, through auxiliary-based methods for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure compounds (diastereoselectivity followed by separation and auxiliary cleavage), to asymmetric catalysis. In the latter instance, enantiomers (not diastereomers) are the products, and highly selective reactions and modern purification techniques allow preparation - in a single step - of chiral substances in 99% ee for many reaction types. After an explanation of the basic physical-organic principles of stereoselectivity, the authors provide a detailed, annotated glossary of stereochemical terms. A chapter on "Analytical Methods" provides a critical overview of the most common methods for analysis of stereoisomers. The authors then follow the 'tried-and-true' format of grouping the material by reaction type. Thus, there are four chapters on carbon-carbon bond forming reactions (enolate alkylations, organometal additions to carbonyls, aldol and Michael reactions, and cycloadditions and rearrangements), one chapter on reductions and hydroborations (carbon-hydrogen bond forming reactions), and one on oxidations (carbon-oxygen and carbon-nitrogen bond forming reactions). Leading references are provided to natural product synthesis that have been accomplished using a given reaction as a key step. In addition to tables of examples that show high selectivity, a transition state analysis is presented to explain - to the current level of understanding - the stereoselectivity of each reaction. In one case (Cram's rule) the evolution of the current theory is detailed from its first tentative (1952) postulate to the current Felkin-Anh-Heathcock formalism. For other reactions, only the currently accepted rationale is presented. Examination of these rationales also exposes the weaknesses of current theories, in that they cannot always explain the experimental observations. These shortcomings provide a challenge for future mechanistic investigations.

A comprehensive overview of fundamental concepts of asymmetric synthesis along with in-depth discussion. Recent developments that address important synthetic challenges are presented and highlighted with hundreds of examples.

A thorough understanding of stereochemistry is essential for the comprehension of almost all aspects of modern organic chemistry. It is also of great significance in many biochemical and medicinal disciplines, since the stereoisomers of a compound can have dramatically different biological properties. This text explains how the different properties of stereoisomers of a compound arise, and what processes can be used to prepare and analyze stereoisomerically pure compounds. It also presents prominent coverage of the stereochemistry of inorganic and organometallic compounds, which is likely to increase in importance, as these compounds are used as symmetric catalysts in asymmetric synthesis. Modern stereochemical terminology is used throughout, although reference is also made to older terms which are still widely used. A set of problems at the end of each chapter aims to further the reader's understanding of how the content can be applied. The book is designed mainly as a textbook for undergraduate students and as a reference source for more advanced levels, but is also intended for academic and professional organic chemists.

This work describes the essential aspects of enantioselective catalysis, with chapters organised by concept rather than by reaction type. Each concept is supported by examples to give the reader broad exposure to a wide range of catalysts, reactions and reaction mechanisms.

Organocatalysis is considered today one of the three pillars in asymmetric catalysis, along with biocatalysis and organometallic catalysis. The possibility to combine organocatalysis with radical chemistry, photocatalysis and enabling technologies opened new avenues in organic synthesis.

A thorough understanding of stereochemistry is essential for the comprehension of almost all aspects of modern organic chemistry. It is also of great significance in many biochemical and medicinal disciplines, since the stereoisomers of a compound can have dramatically different biological properties. This text explains how the different properties of stereoisomers of a compound arise, and what processes can be used to prepare and analyze stereoisomerically pure compounds. It also presents prominent coverage of the stereochemistry of inorganic and organometallic compounds, which is likely to increase in importance, as these compounds are used as symmetric catalysts in asymmetric synthesis. Modern stereochemical terminology is used throughout, although reference is also made to older terms which are still widely used. A set of problems at the end of each chapter aims to further the reader's understanding of how the content can be applied. The book is designed mainly as a textbook for undergraduate students and as a reference source for more advanced levels, but is also intended for academic and professional organic chemists.