Dienamine Catalysis: An Emerging Technology in Organic Synthesis

High-yielding asymmetric synthesis of bioactive molecules with the aid of mild catalysis is an efficient approach in reaction engineering. In the early days, synthetic chemists mainly focused on the synthesis of complex molecules, but not much on reaction efficiency and eco-friendly conditions. Recent investigations have been directed towards the development of atom economy and of eco-friendly and enantioselective synthesis in the most efficient ways. In this regard, the development of newly emerging asymmetric enamine and dienamine catalysis shows one way in which a powerful technology can address these critical issues. Here we discuss the entire saga of dienamine chemistry from preformed dienamines to in situ dienamines and its applications in the synthesis of bioactive molecules and natural products.