The use of small organic molecules as catalysts has been known for more than a century. But only in the past decade has organocatalysis become a thriving area of general concepts and widely applicable asymmetric reactions. Here I present my opinion on why the field of organocatalysis has blossomed so dramatically over the past decade.

The advent and development of organocatalysis

The design and implementation of cascade reactions is a challenging facet of organic chemistry, yet one that can impart striking novelty, elegance, and efficiency to synthetic strategies. The application of cascade reactions to natural products synthesis represents a particularly demanding task, but the results can be both stunning and instructive. This Review highlights selected examples of cascade reactions in total synthesis, with particular emphasis on recent applications therein. The examples discussed herein illustrate the power of these processes in the construction of complex molecules and underscore their future potential in chemical synthesis.

Cascade reactions in total synthesis.

Stereoselective organic reactions in water.

Occurrence, Biogenesis, and Synthesis of Biologically Active Carbazole Alkaloids

Laboratory for Advanced Materials and New Catalysis, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China,Laboratory of Natural Gas Utilization and Applied Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023,China, and Jingmen Technological College, Jingmen 448000, ChinaReceived June 30, 2004

Advances in Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalytic Asymmetric Epoxidation

This article describes a highly effective catalytic asymmetric epoxidation method for olefins using potassium peroxomonosulfate (Oxone, Dupont) as oxidant and a fructose-derived ketone (1) as catalyst. High enantioselectivies have been obtained for trans-disubstituted and trisubstituted olefins which can bear functional groups such as tributylsilyl ether, acetal, chloride, and ester. The enantiomeric excesses for cis-olefins and terminal olefins are not high yet. The current epoxidation shows that the catalyst efficiency is enhanced dramatically upon raising the pH. Mechanistic studies show that the epoxidation mainly proceeds via a spiro transition state, which provides a model for predicting the stereochemical outcome of the reaction. The planar transition state is likely to be the main competing pathway. The extent of the involvement of the planar mode is subject to the steric effect of the alkyl groups on the olefins.

An Efficient Catalytic Asymmetric Epoxidation Method

An Efficient Asymmetric Epoxidation Method for trans-Olefins Mediated by a Fructose-Derived Ketone

Highly enantioselective epoxidation of enol silyl ethers and esters

This paper describes a highly effective and mild asymmetric monoepoxidation method for conjugated dienes using a fructose-derived chiral ketone 1 as catalyst and Oxone as oxidant. The regioselectivies and enantioslectivies are very high in most cases. For unsymmetrical dienes, the regioselectivity can be regulated by using steric and electronic control. The olefin substrates include trans-disubstituted and trisubstituted olefins that can bear a wide range of functional groups such as hydroxyl groups, TBS ethers, or esters. The enantiomeric excesses for the major monoepoxides range from 89% to 97%. The epoxidation is believed to proceed via a spiro mode.

Yong Tu

Papers

An Efficient Catalytic Asymmetric Epoxidation Method

An Efficient Asymmetric Epoxidation Method for trans-Olefins Mediated by a Fructose-Derived Ketone

Highly enantioselective epoxidation of enol silyl ethers and esters

Highly Regio- and Enantioselective Monoepoxidation of Conjugated Dienes

A Dramatic pH Effect Leads to a Catalytic Asymmetric Epoxidation.