Organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis using proline and related molecules. Part 1

Organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis has been extensively studied and several important procedures for preparing optically active organic compounds have been developed. Research in this area has progressed rapidly in the last ten years. This review addresses the most significant advances in asymmetric synthesis using proline and related chiral organocatalysts mainly focusing on aldol reactions from the viewpoint of synthetic interests. This includes (1) proline-catalyzed aldol reactions, (2) proline-related chiral catalysts, and (3) other types of amino acid catalysts.