Organocatalytic Asymmetric Additions to meso-Anhydrides and Azlactones

This review charts the recent progress of two related, yet distinct organocatalytic processes: the desymmetrisation of meso-anhydrides and the dynamic kinetic resolution of azlactones. Driven by recent advances in catalyst design, both these processes have undergone something of a renaissance in recent years and are now becoming very powerful and versatile synthetic methodologies. The material is presented in a critical fashion and the material is organised by reaction type and catalyst class.