Asymmetric synthesis—a foreword

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights the content of the book “Principles of asymmetric synthesis.” The book is covered in a most condensed and masterly way. In contrast to many a competitor they have chosen well-defined topics (enolate alkylations, direct and conjugate addition to carbonyl compounds with formation of one or two new chirality centers, rearrangements and cycloadditions, reductions and oxidations), they use clear-cut concepts and language to present not only synthetic results but also mechanistic considerations (with due care). They include a glossary of stereochemical terms (with some recommendations about which ones not to use: fight the brutalization of chemical language!), and they present a chapter on analytical methods.