Novel Strategies for Enantio- and Site-Selective Molecular Transformations.

A strategy for symmetric synthesis based on dynamic chirality of enolates (memory of chirality) has been developed. Asymmetric alkylation, conjugate addition, aldol reaction, and arylation via C-N axially chiral enolate intermediates are described. Asymmetric alkylation and conjugate addition via C-O axially chiral enolate intermediates with a half-life of racemization as short as approx. 1 s. at -78 °C have been accomplished. Organocatalysts for asymmetric acylation and site-selective acylation have been developed. Kinetic resolution of racemic alcohols via remote asymmetric induction by the catalyst is shown. Catalyst-controlled site-selective acylation of carbohydrates and its application to total synthesis of natural glycoside are described. Chemo-selective monoacylation of diols and selective acylation of secondary alcohols with reversal of inherent reactivity are also discussed. Geometry-selective acylation of tetrasubstituted alkene diols is achieved, where acylation takes place independent from the steric environments of the substrates.