Transfer of Chirality in Asymmetric Synthesis

Abstract:
Chirality is a property of asymmetry which is very important in Chemistry where it controls biological activity of molecules.  It is a great challenge for Organic Chemists to develop methods to synthesize chiral molecules in high level of optical purity.  These methods can broadly be put under ‘Asymmetric Transformations’. There are several ways to accomplish these transformations.  One of the ways is via Enantioselective Reactions using chiral ligands/catalysts (Lewis acids & Lewis bases).  For the last few years, methods have been developed where reactions are catalyzed by Organic compounds (Asymmetric Organocatalysis).  In this process, an Organic Reaction is catalyzed by substoichiometric amount of chiral organic compounds which do not contain a metal atom. Thus, one can avoid toxicity of metals, making the process environment friendly.  These reactions seldom suffer from the requirement for inert conditions frequently needed in metal chemistry.  Aldol reaction is one of the most prevalently investigated and applied reactions for C–C bond formation in organic synthesis. On the other hand, Michael reaction is one of the most fascinating and fundamental C–C bond forming reactions and has wide utility in Organic synthesis.  In this talk, I will be delineating some of the work done in our laboratory for these two reactions.

Recent References:
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