R Alan Aitken | Akateeminen Kirjakauppa

Very few fields in science have shown. such an acceleration from theory to practice as the field of asymIfletric synthesis. When one considers that the phrase 'asymmetric synthesis' was just a mechanistic curiosity in 1965 with no one seriously believing that this could someday be an important part of molecular synthesis, the rate of progress has been quite remarkable. In just over twenty years the organic chemist has transformed this virtually unknown aspect of synthesis into a serious route to virtually every class of chiral organic compounds in greater than 90% enantiomeric purity. It is presently still enjoying significant growth and our understanding of many of the guiding principles makes it necessary to introduce the subject to students at a stage just after the initial introduction to traditional organic chemistry. It can now be safely stated that asymmetric synthesis may take its place among other, more traditional, methods for reaching enantiomeri­ cally pure compounds (resolution, microbiological processes, enzyme catalyzed reactions). This monograph does an admirable job of bringing all the aspects of stereochemical principles and their application to a variety of asymmetric processes, to the young student of organic chemistry. Although not exhaustive in its coverage, it lays out the foundation in excellent form, with sufficient examples, so that the student can gain an appreciation of the progress made to date.