Design of asymmetric synthesis

Abstract

There is a sense in whieh asymmetric synthesis is the last frontier for organic chemistry, at least as far as its application to the construction of target molecules is concerned. Specialists in the field, however, need not fear for their jobs, because there is still a great deal to achieve to perfect the science of the enantioselective preparation for organic compounds. While the challenges of chemo- and regioselective bond formation are well understood, perhaps even conquered, stereoselective reactions still pose problems and constitute a formidable task if required on a plant-scale, as, for example, in the manufacture of enantiopure pharmaceutieal reagents. This book surveys the methods of asymmetric synthesis and illustrates their use, particularly in routes to natural products.