Multicomponent and sequential organocatalytic reactions: diversity with atom-economy and enantiocontrol

Abstract

Reactions in which several components are combined in sequence, and without isolation of intermediates, are greatly sought because of the inherent molecular diversity, efficiency, and atom-economy. However, organocatalytic reactions, employing an organic catalyst to assemble products of high enantiomeric excess (a single optical isomer), are also cutting-edge methodology. This tutorial review covers the overlap of these two areas, outling the structural diversity and stereocontrol arising from one-pot combinations of at least three components, powerful approaches with great potential that minimise formation of by-products and operating costs.