Asymmetric organocatalysis : from biomimetic concepts to applications in asymmetric synthesis

Asymmetric synthesis is a challenge for the modern-day organic chemist. The widely used asymmetric catalysis using chiral metal complexes often causes problems in dividing the products. The use of potentially toxic metal catalysts is particularly unwelcome in the synthesis of pharmaceutical substances and reactants in biomedical analysis. An elegant alternative is catalysis using small, chiral organic molecules. In this handbook, the experienced authors from academia and industry provide the first overview of the use of such metal-free organic catalysts in the laboratory. They cover all the important reaction types, such as nucleophilic substitution, nucleophilic addition, cycloaddition, oxidation and reduction, while also presenting different processes for dividing racemates. Additional emphasis is placed on the industrial applications of these new methods. With its comprehensive description of synthesis strategies and methods, this book targets chemists working in industry and academia and deserves a place in every laboratory. After A Historical Introduction, All Synthetically Relevant Reaction Types Are Thoroughly Discussed, Followed By A Consideration Of Large Scale Applications. Additionally, The Most Frequently Used Organocatalysts Are Summarized In An Appendix, Aiding The Research Chemist In Selecting An Appropriate Catalyst For A Given Transformation. -- Book Jacket. Organocatalysis : From Biomimetic Concepts To Powerful Methods For Asymmetric Synthesis -- On The Structure Of The Book, And A Few General Mechanistic Considerations -- Nucleophilic Substitution At Aliphatic Carbon -- Nucleophilic Addition To Electron-deficient C=c Double Bonds -- Nucleophilic Addition To C=n Double Bonds -- Nucleophilic Addition To C=o Double Bonds -- Nucleophilic Addition To Unsaturated Nitrogen -- Cycloaddition Reactions -- Protonation Of Enolates And Tautomerization Of Enols -- Oxidation -- Reduction Of Carbonyl Compounds -- Kinetic Resolution Of Racemic Alcohols And Amines -- Desymmetrization And Kinetic Resolution Of Anhydrides, Desymmetrization Of Meso-epoxides And Other Prochiral Substrates -- Large-scale Applications Of Organocatalysis. Albrecht Berkessel, Harald Gröger. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

Asymmetric catalysis represents still one of the major challenges in modern organic chemistry. Besides the well-established asymmetric metal-complex-catalysed syntheses and biocatalysis, the use of "pure" organic catalysts turned out to be an additional efficient tool for the synthesis of chiral building blocks. In this handbook, the experienced authors from academia and industry provide the first overview of the important use of such metal-free organic catalysts in organic chemistry. With its comprehensive description of numerous reaction types, e.g., nucleophilic substitution and addition reactions as well as cycloadditions and redox reactions, this book targets organic chemists working in industry and academia, and deserves a place in every laboratory.

" After a historical introduction, all synthetically relevant reaction types are thoroughly discussed, followed by a consideration of large scale applications. Additionally, the most frequently used organocatalysts are summarized in an appendix, aiding the research chemist in selecting an appropriate catalyst for a given transformation." -- BOOK JACKET