The use of asymmetric catalysts for accessing enantiomerically
pure organic compounds is by far the most attractive and efficient
option. Developments in the field of asymmetric catalysis are inspired by the natural biochemical processes induced by biomolecules such as enzymes and antibodies. Although, we cannot
match Nature in terms of the efficiency of biological systems, it
has been an endeavour of many scientists to search for artificia
or semisynthetic molecules to serve as catalysts for enantioselective reactions. Most of the early developments were based on transition metal/chiral ligand based asymmetric catalysis. The
introduction of organic molecules capable of influencing basic organic reactions has ushered in the era of ‘organocatalysis’ in modern chemistry. The ability of organocatalysts to control asymmetric
transformations in the key step is attributed mainly to supramolecular interactions, similar to enzymes in the biochemical reactions
Elimination of the use of potentially toxic metal ion based catalysis
in the wake of this development goes well with the advent of green
chemistry and realization of the commitment of the scientists towards environmental concerns.