Current advances of organocatalytic Michael-Michael cascade reaction in the synthesis of highly functionalized cyclic molecules

Organocatalytic domino/cascade reactions provide a convenient method for the construction of highly functionalized cyclic molecular structures bearing multiple stereocenters in a highly stereoselective fashion. A wide range of organocatalysts used for the construction of these architecturally complex molecules are reported. A distinct activation mode of monofunctional and bifunctional catalysts with different additive and bases used for synergistic co-operative activation also presented. The strategies and catalyst system described here highlight recent advances in the enantioselective synthesis of poly functionalized cyclic molecules via organocascade (Michael-Michael) reactions. This review focuses on the enantioselective synthesis of cyclic molecules via organocascade reactions and is organized on the basis of four categories of activation such as enamine-iminium catalysis, iminium-enamine catalysis, base-base catalysis and acid-base catalysis (bifunctional catalysis).