Conjugate Addition Reactions in Organic Synthesis

This book provides an introduction to the chemistry of conjugate reactions, a group of reactions that constitute one of the most important classes of chemical reactions in organic synthesis. The book is organised in terms of the major classes of conjugate acceptors. Within each of these classes, the chemistry and applications of conjugate additions with several different categories of nucleophiles have been examined. Where several different nucleophiles achieve the same synthetic transformation, they are cross-referenced within the book and qualitative comparisons offered where appropriate. Examples of the use of conjugate additions in total synthesis of important molecules are included, with a special emphasis throughout the book on stereoselectivity. This will be a useful main text for graduate and postgraduate courses on conjugate addition reactions or the Michael reaction. It could also serve as a supplementary text for courses on topics such as the chemistry of organocopper reagents, enamines and carbanion chemistry.