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Ph.D. Thesis_AS_Publishing version for IRC_12 ... - Jacobs University

Ph.D. Thesis_AS_Publishing version for IRC_12 ... - Jacobs University

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Chapter 1<br />

H 3 C<br />

O<br />

O<br />

H 3 C<br />

O<br />

(S)-proline (3 mol%)<br />

DMF<br />

O<br />

H 3 C<br />

OH<br />

O<br />

Scheme 1.2. First proline catalyzed asymmetric aldol reaction.<br />

100% yield, 93% ee<br />

Despite the publications of these early examples of organocatalysis, the concept was not further<br />

explored. At that time, the mechanisms were not clear and the applications were limited. 5 After<br />

30 years of essentially dormant existence, the field was brought to life with the discovery of<br />

proline-catalyzed asymmetric intermolecular aldol reactions. 6 In the same year MacMillan<br />

reported the first enantioselective organocatalytic Diels-Alder reaction (Scheme 1.3). 7<br />

<strong>Ph</strong><br />

O<br />

<strong>Ph</strong><br />

Me<br />

O<br />

Catalyst (20 mol%)<br />

MeOH-H 2 O<br />

23 o C<br />

<strong>Ph</strong><br />

O <strong>Ph</strong><br />

Me<br />

CHO<br />

Yield = 75%<br />

exo:endo = 35:1<br />

ee = 96%<br />

<strong>Ph</strong><br />

O<br />

N<br />

H<br />

Me<br />

N Me<br />

Me<br />

Catalyst<br />

HCl<br />

Scheme 1.3. First enantioselective organocatalytic Diel-Alder reaction.<br />

In the past, metal complexes provided flexible bases <strong>for</strong> most new reactions and has been<br />

developed to a high level as compared to organocatalysis. Currently the picture of asymmetric<br />

catalysis is changing and organocatalysis is becoming an increasingly important complementary<br />

topic which can be at times a competive alternative to metal based catalysis. This increasing<br />

tendency <strong>for</strong> asymmetric organocatalysis happens because of the benefits that they can<br />

sometimes provide:<br />

• High catalytic activity<br />

• Easily available<br />

3

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