Organocatalyst Design for the Stereoselective Annulation towards Bicyclic Diketones and Analogues

The Wieland–Miescher ketone, Hajos–Parrish–Eder–Sauer–Wiechert and their analogues are bicyclic diketones essential as building blocks for the synthesis of several natural bioactive molecules. For this reason, since 1971, when Hajos Parrish Eder, Sauer, Wiechert reported stereoselective these compounds promoted by L-proline, numerous methodologies organocatalysts have been studied over years with aim identifying increasingly efficient asymmetrical syntheses ketones. This review will outline methodological stereochemical features organocatalytic scaffolds based on different employed from 1971 until today. Particular emphasis be given to structural catalysts reaction conditions.