Asymmetric syntheses of pipecolic acid and derivatives.

Results in the field of asymmetric synthesis of pipecolic acid derivatives are reviewed. Three sections describe the asymmetric syntheses of the title compounds (i) from the chiral pool (alpha-amino acids or carbohydrates) (ii) using a chiral auxiliary either derived from terpenes, alpha-amino acids, tartaric acid, an amine or beta-amino alcohols (iii) by means of asymmetric catalysis.