Asymmetric organocatalysis in total synthesis – a trial by fire  

Abstract

This review covers the most recent applications of organocatalysis in the synthesis of natural products and non-natural biologically active molecules. Our aim is to showcase how organocatalytic reactions have overcome some of their teething problems and how they frequently offer very practical solutions to long-standing synthetic challenges. 161 references are cited.Financial support was provided by the DFG (SPP1179), the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie (Dozentenstipendium to M. C.), the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung (postdoctoral fellowship to E. M.-L.), the Fundación Aragón I + D(permanent contract to R. P. H.), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas CSIC (PIE 200880I260), the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN, CTQ2009-09028) and the Aragón Government (PI064/09) (R. P. H.).Peer Reviewe