Abstract

This book, unique in its field, is a comprehensive description of all the methodologies reported for carrying out conjugate addition reactions in a stereoselective way, using small chiral organic molecules as catalysts (organocatalysts). In the last 3-4 years, this has been a rapidly growing field in organic chemistry, and many papers have appeared reporting excellent protocols for carrying out these highly efficient transformations that compete well with other classical approaches using transition metal catalysts. A particularly attractive feature of this transformation relies upon the fact that the conjugate addition (Michael and Hetero-Michael reactions) is an extraordinarily effective means to initiate cascade processes which result in the formation of complex molecules from very small and simple starting blocks. The book, written by noted experts, covers all recent advances in this hot topic, and provides a good state-of-the-art review for organic chemists working in this field and all those who wish to start projects in this area.
Professor Jose L Vicario graduated from the University of the Basque Country in 1997 and received his PhD in 2000 in the Department of Organic Chemistry at the Faculty of Science at the same University. After postdoctoral studies in 2002 at the RWTH Aachen, under the supervision of Professor Dr D Enders, he joined the Research Group of Asymmetric Synthesis at the Department of Organic Chemistry II at the University of the Basque Country. Current research interests focus on the design of new methodologies in asymmetric synthesis, especially asymmetric organocatalysis, and the stereocontrolled synthesis of pharmacologically active compounds. Professor Vicario has authored more than 50 research papers (8 review articles) and 7 book chapters all dealing with asymmetric synthesis. Professor Dr Dolores BadÝa graduated from the University of Valladolid and received her PhD in the Department of Organic Chemistry at the Faculty of Science of the University of the Basque Country. After postdoctoral studies at Imperial College, London, she became assistant Professor in 1988 at the Department of Organic Chemistry at the Faculty of Science of the University of the Basque Country and she was promoted to full Professor of Organic Chemistry in 2000. Professor Badia has carried out extensive research in the field of isoquinoline alkaloids, in particular in the development of novel procedures for their enantioselective synthesis and nowadays, her research interests focus on the design of new methodologies in asymmetric synthesis and the stereocontrolled synthesis of pharmacologically active compounds. Professor BadÝa has authored 74 research papers (6 review articles) and 9 book chapters all dealing with asymmetric synthesis. Professor Luisa Carrillo graduated from the University of the Basque Country in 1988 and received her PhD in 1998, working in the Department of Organic Chemistry at the Faculty of Science at the same University. She then joined the Group of Asymmetric Synthesis under the direction of Professor Dr D BadÝa. Her current research interests focus on the design of new methodologies in asymmetric synthesis and their application in the synthesis of pharmacologically active compounds. Professor Camillo has authored 45 research papers (6 review articles) and 8 book chapters all dealing with asymmetric synthesis. Dr Efraim Reyes graduated from the University of the Basque Country in 2001 and received his PhD in 2006, working in the Department of Organic Chemistry at the Faculty of Science at the same University. After postdoctoral studies at the Institute for Organic Synthesis in Aarhus, Denmark under the supervision of Professor Dr KA Jorgensen, he joined the Group of Asymmetric Synthesis under the direction of Professor Dr D BadÝa. Dr Reyes has authored 16 research papers (2 review articles) and 1 book chapter all dealing with asymmetric synthesis.