Recent efforts directed to the development of more sustainable asymmetric organocatalysis

Abstract

In line with the principles of “green” chemistry, organocatalysis seeks to reduce energy consumption and to optimize the use of the available resources, aiming to become a sustainable strategy in chemical transformations. Nevertheless, during the last decade diverse experimental protocols have made organocatalysis an even “greener” alternative by the use of friendlier reaction conditions, or via the application of solvent-free methodologies, or through the design and synthesis of more selective catalysts, or via the development of multicomponent one-pot organocatalytic reactions, or by the recycling and reuse of organocatalysts, or by means of the application of more energy-efficient activation techniques, among other approaches. In this feature article we review some of the remarkable advancements that have made it possible to develop even more sustainable asymmetric organocatalyzed methodologies.