| The field of asymmetric catalysis embodies the efforts of chemists to mimic the stereoselectivity routinely achieved by biological systems. Asymmetric organocatalysis, a sub- field of asymmetric catalysis, is broadly based on the catalytic activity of non-transition metal, small molecules that transmit chirality to substrates. This dissertation describes experimental work towards the construction of versatile, medicinally-relevant molecular scaffolds using chiral, diarylprolinol silyl ether organocatalysts. Specifically, these catalysts were used in 1-pot, iminium-enamine catalyzed cascade reactions to functionalize alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes. A comprehensive review of iminium and enamine organocatalysis is provided, including its development towards iminium-enamine cascade reactions. This review provides background for the original research recounted herein, which are 1) Accessing Medicinally-Relevant Cyclohexene Scaffolds via a Michael-Michael Organocascade, 2) One-Pot Preparation of Enantiopure Fluorinated beta-Amino Acid Precursors, and 3) Accessing Medicinally-Relevant Tetrahydrofuran Scaffolds via Organocascade Reaction. |
