Total synthesis of natural and pharmaceutical products powered by organocatalytic reactions

Organocatalysis has emerged as the third pillar of modern asymmetric catalysis in the past two decades. Applying organocatalytic reactions in total synthesis is currently a highly dynamic research area. This Digest focuses on selected recent examples of total synthesis of natural and pharmaceutical products enabled by organocatalytic reactions, highlighting the importance of organocatalytic reactions in fostering structures of biological importance. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier Ltd.