Special Issue Dedicated to Andreas Pfaltz

No Abstract Andreas Pfaltz is one of the most admired chemists in world as his scientific contributions cover fields synthetic organic chemistry, organometallic homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, particularly field asymmetric catalysis. This special issue Advanced Synthesis Catalysts dedicated to for distinguished career great contribution journal during 22 years outstanding service on editorial board. started 1970s at Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETH) where he studies chemistry with Albert Eschenmoser second-generation synthesis vitamin B12. After graduation distinction, moved New York a postdoctoral position Gilbert Stork Columbia University, worked total rifamycin. In 1980, returned ETH start independent research. accomplished seminal works this early period laid foundation future Inspired by exposure B12 group, discovered developed chiral semicorrin ligands 1986. The C2-symmetric lab was first artificial dinitrogen ligand major milestone synthesis. not only enabled cyclopropanation alkenes, providing highly efficient method cyclopropanes, more importantly, it also opened new ground inspiration development other nitrogen ligands. Among them, famous significant example bisoxazoline ligands, neutral analogue which have been widely used 1990, University Basel an associate professor soon promoted full professor. From 1995 1998, director Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung. During 1990s, made another catalysis developing phosphinooxazoline (PHOX ligands). Combining properties both phosphine oxazoline PHOX can coordinate different transition metals catalyze many reactions, such allylic substitution, Heck reaction, hydrogenation, cycloadditions, Diels-Alder reaction. With versatility, found widespread use compounds academic industrial settings. Today, catalog metal catalysts sold Sigma-Aldrich they are recognized powerful tools asymmetry While we cannot list all Andreas′ contributions, elegant research work hydrogenation unfunctionalized alkenes must be mentioned. Prior work, enantioselective alkene hydrogenations require polar functional group next C=C bond (called functionalized alkenes), center catalysts. 2000s, pyridine-phosphinite (and oxazoline-phosphinite imidazoline-phosphinite) solved long-standing challenge without any unleashing potential Andreas’ accomplishments numerous awards, including Horst Pracejus Prize German Chemical Society (GDCh), Prelog Medal Zurich, Chirality Metal just mention few. addition tremendous research, passionately himself propagating knowledge. Throughout career, has written edited number books chapters, among which, book Comprehensive Asymmetric Catalysis (co-edited Prof. Eric Jacobsen Hisashi Yamamoto) become classic must-read being world-renowned top scientist, modest ever known. As strict rigorous details, always amiable impeccably polite everyone around him. our time student post-doctoral fellow, never knew him harsh word students. On contrary, treated students friends, offering them advice patience, became role model strive how guide own today. summary, master chemist knowledgeable kind mentor. We happy able study drawn from Thank you, Andreas! thank authors who contributed articles issue, your makes meaningful.