Research report 2003 - Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung
Organocatalysis: A New and Broadly Applicable Method for Organic Synthesis
Authors
List, Benjamin
Departments
Summary
Organocatalysis is a new strategy for catalysis in which small, purely organic catalysts are employed. While many of Nature’s enzymes use a similar metal-free catalysis strategy, chemists have only recently realized the great potential of organocatalysis as a highly selective and environmentally benign method for organic synthesis. Spectacular advancements have been made in this area in the last few years and recently organocatalysis has been added to the research portfolio of the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung in Mülheim. There, it complements existing research in the areas of biocatalysis, metal-catalysis, and heterogeneous catalysis.