We report a new process to access highly enantioenriched sulfur-based heterocycles by an asymmetric catalytic thio-Diels-Alder reaction. Thiocarbonyls are challenging heterodienophiles in enantioselective Diels-Alder reactions, due to their inherent high reactivity and their poor ability to coordinate to chiral catalysts. We successfully circumvented these problems by employing a different strategy, which explores the use of in situ generated catalyst-bound dienes. Synthetically useful dihydrothiopyrans as well as other bi- and tricyclic sulfur-containing heterocycles are formed in high yields and high to excellent selectivities. DFT calculations were performed to examine the mechanism of the developed reaction. Furthermore, a series of synthetic transformations of the optically active sulfur-based heterocycles are presented.

The [4+2]-cycloaddition reaction of 3-olefinic oxindoles with a tetraenamine intermediate is presented. In the reaction, a novel class of highly functionalized spirocyclic cyclohexanes with four stereocenters is formed in high yield and excellent stereoselectivity. Mechanistic investigations and calculations point to a stepwise mechanism involving tetraenamine intermediates. Furthermore, several transformations are presented.Scheme 1 Activation concepts of aldehydes in organocatalysis and the new tetraenamine reactivity.Scheme 2 [4+2]-Cycloaddition via tetraenamine intermediate.

A formal asymmetric organocatalytic aminohydroxylation reaction of enones has been achieved via an aziridination-double S(N)2 sequence. As a part of the reaction design, the generated amino alcohol products are isolated as the corresponding oxazolidinones in good yields and excellent stereoselectivities.

Quinolones have a large bio-dynamicity. Although they are well known as antibacterials, another important activity has been investigated - quinolones are able to inhibit cancer cell proliferation. In view of the great versatility associated with the synthesis of quinolones, many researchers have spent time and resources on the development of new structurally diversified quinolone derivatives with the purpose of finding new possibilities for cancer treatment. In this review some of the most recent advances in the search for new quinolone anticancer agents are highlighted, with focus on naturally occurring substances, bioactive metal complexes, molecular hybrids, photosensitizers and heterocycle condensed quinolones.

BODIPY as an EWG in asymmetric catalysis is presented.