Breaking Symmetry: Reaction Development & Application to Complex Targets

Human minds are fascinated by symmetrical objects, and we admire the challenges in constructing them. In contrast to the physical world, we live in, creating symmetry in the molecular world is a relatively simple task. It is the daunting asymmetry in molecules that often challenges the chemists. 

Breaking symmetry to generate asymmetry, known as desymmetrization, is a remarkably powerful strategy for building molecular complexity. Successful implementation holds the potential to forge multiple stereogenic centers, even away from the reaction site, in a single step. 

During the past few years, we have developed a number of organocatalytic enantioselective desymmetrization reactions including a formal C-H alkylation. This talk will be primarily confined to the enantioselective formal C-H alkylation and its applications to the synthesis of complex targets.

References:

(1) Manna, M. S.; Mukherjee, S. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137, 130; 
(2) Ray, S.; Mondal, S.; Mukherjee, S. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, 61, e202201584.