Asymmetric synthesis remains a challenge to practicing scientists as the need for enantiomerically pure or enriched compounds continues to increase. Over the last decade, a large amount of literature has been published in this field. Principles and Applications of Asymmetric Synthesis consolidates and evaluates the most useful methodologies into a one-volume resource for the convenience of practicing scientists and students. Authored by internationally renowned scientists in the field, this reliable reference covers more than 450 reactions and includes important stoichiometric as well as catalytic asymmetric reactions. The first chapter reviews the basic principles, common nomenclature, and analytical methods, and the remainder of the book is organized according to reaction type. The text examines such topics as: Carbon-carbon bond formations involving carbonyls, enamines, imines, and enolates Asymmetric C-O bond formations including epoxidation, dihydroxylation, and aminohydroxylation Asymmetric synthesis using the Diels-Alder reaction and other cyclizations Applications to the total synthesis of natural products Use of enzymes in asymmetric synthesis Practicing chemists in the pharmaceutical, fine chemical, and agricultural professions as well as graduate students will find that Principles and Applications of Asymmetric Synthesis affords comprehensive and current coverage.

GUO-QIANG LIN, YUE-MING LI, and ALBERT S. C. CHAN are all professors in the Department of Chemical Technology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.