Chiral Brønsted base catalysis is a fascinating and highly explored field of research. For many years catalysts based on chincona alkaloid chiral scaffolds have constituted privileged systems widely employed in numerous base-promoted organic transformations. Recently, a novel group of chiral base catalysts has been successfully introduced. The application of organosuperbases, namely cyclopropenimines, guanidines, and iminophosphoranes, as chiral catalysts is receiving increasing attention. The aim of this Concept article is to summarize recent progress in the field of chiral iminophosphorane superbase organocatalysis. Catalysts design, different approaches to their synthesis, and applications in asymmetric synthesis are outlined and discussed in detail.

α-Alkylidene-substituted δ-lactones and corresponding γ-and δ-lactams constitute important classes of natural compounds that display diverse biological activities. This review gives a brief description of the occurrence and biological activities of the title compounds and then summarizes the methods available for their preparation. Attention is given mainly to the synthetic approaches developed during the last decade, including those from our own research group. The latest developments in the synthesis of nonracemic α-alkylidene-substituted δ-lactones, γ-lactams and δ-lactams are also discussed.

240 Years have passed since the discovery of elemental phosphorus. During that time organophosphorus chemistry has emerged as an interesting and exciting field of research. Recently organophosphorus chemistry has been raised to a new level. Organophosphorus compounds have found applications in asymmetric organocatalysis for the synthesis of optically active compounds of synthetic or biological importance. The aim of this review article is to present recent contributions to this developing field of chemistry and to point out synthetic advantages of methodologies developed so far.