Main description:

Chemical Synthesis: Gnosis to Prognosis (XTUllKtl ~uv8eoTr ana TT) rVWOT) OTT) npaYVWOT)) " . . . . other things being equal, that field has the most merit which contributes most heavily to, and illuminates most brightly, its neighbouring scientific disciplines[l] One hundred scientists, a blend of students, industrialists, and academics from twenty countries gathered to circumscribe, understand, and elaborate this topic in the magical setting of Ravello, Italy. The mandate of this workshop? To survey existing knowledge, assess current work, and discuss the future directions of chemical synthesis as it impinges on three exciting interdisciplinary themes of science in the 1990's: bioactive molecules, man-made chemical materials, and molecular recognition. This tempting but inexact menu summoned diverse students and scientists who wished to seriously reflect upon, dissect, and eject ideas and own experiences into open debate on this topic, which is at a crossroad in internal evolution and impact on the life and material sciences. The group arrived from many directions and in various forms of transportation, matters soon forgotten, when it found itself in the village which nurtured Wagner's inspiration and set to work immediately to ponder the question which has received extensive thought, prediction, and caveat from illustrious chemists over a period of time [2], two of which, to the delight of all, in presence among the Lectures.

Contents:

Preface. Asymmetric Synthesis: I - Fundamentals and Recent Advances. II - Some Aspects of Asymmetric Catalysis with Transition-Metal Complexes; H.B. Kagan. Addition of Enolates and Metalloalkyls to Imines. Stereospecific Synthesis of beta-Lactams, Amines, Aziridines and Aminols; G. Cainelli, et al. Target-Driven Organic Synthesis: Reflections on the Past, Prospects for the Future; S. Hanessian. Optically Active Transition Metal Compounds Containing Chiral Transition Metal Atoms; H. Brunner. Biomimetic Chemistry. Bifunctional Binding and Catalysis; R. Breslow. Design of Enzyme Inhibitors. Answering Biological Questions Through Organic Synthesis; P.A. Bartless. Enantioselective Catalysis with Transition Metal Complexes; H. Brunner. Directed Aromatic Metalation: A Continuing Education in Flatland Chemistry; V. Snieckus. Panel Discussion I. As We Head Into the 21st Century, is There Still Value in Total Synthesis of Natural Products as a Research Endeavor? C.H. Heathcock. Convergent Strategies for Synthetic Receptors; P. Timmerman, et al. The Advancement of Radical-Based Synthetic Strategies: From Reagent Design to Polymer Modification; C. Chatgilialoglu. Templated Synthesis of Enzyme Mimics: How Far Can We Go? S. Anderson, J.K.M. Sanders. Towards a Chemical Etiology of the Natural Nucleic Acids' Structure; A. Eschenmoser. Principles of Antibody Catalysis; D. Hilvert. New Homocalixarenes and Catenanes: From Molecular Recognition to Mechanical Bonds; S. Meier, et al. Self-Assembly in Chemical Synthesis; S.J. Langford, J.F. Stoddart. Oligonucleotide-Directed Recognition of Double-Helical DNA; C. Helene, T. Garestier. Can Enzyme Mimics Compete With Catalytic Antibodies? C.J. Walter, et al. Panel Discussion II. Synthesis of Giant Modular Structures: SupramolecularAssemblies and Well-Defined Macro-Molecules; J. Michl. Polymer Synthesis and Stereochemistry with Transition Metal Catalysts; R. Waymouth, et al. Making Unnatural Products by Natural Means; S.J. Langford, J.F. Stoddart. Supramolecular Chemistry and Chemical Synthesis. From Molecular Interactions to Self-Assembly; J.-M. Lehn. Synthetic Approaches to Functional Polymers; F. Ciardelli, et al. Transduction of Molecular Interactions into Macroscopic Properties; H.C. Visser, et al. Approaches to Synthesis Based on Non-Covalent Bonds; G.M. Whitesides, et al. Panel Discussion III. Organic Synthesis and the Life Sciences; D. Arigoni. Index.