Mechanistic Knowledge and Noncovalent Interactions as the Key Features for Enantioselective Catalysed Multicomponent Reactions. A Critical View

The current critical Perspective focuses on some key features which rule successful enantioselective catalysed multicomponent reactions (MCRs) and are typically underappreciated in the literature. A critical analysis of this topic of current interest and the importance of elucidating the reaction mechanism of a MCR, which is usually a neglected task, is a feature analysed aiming at the success of the enantioselective version of the reaction by the proper comprehension of the transformation. The key role of noncovalent interactions is another feature analysed alongside with the transition state (TS) of the key step for the chiral induction of some selected MCRs. In this critical Perspective, the problematic of lack of mechanistic knowledge and the importance of the rational design of new catalytic systems, considering the possible noncovalent interactions aiming at “flexible” and adaptative catalysts to fit the key intermediates and reagents, is also discussed in light of both new concepts and trends.