Proline Sulfonamide-Based Organocatalysis: Better Late than Never.

The history of proline sulfonamides for use in catalyzing highly enantioselective and diastereoselective C-C bond forming reactions is described. Highlighted is the development of N-(p-dodecylphenylsulfonyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide ("Hua Cat") and N-(carboxy-p-dodecylphenylsulfonyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamide ("Hua Cat-II") by Yang and Carter. Specific reactions covered include the aldol reaction, Mannich reaction, formal aza-Diels-Alder reaction, tandem Michael/Mannich reaction and Yamada-Otani reaction. The ability of proline aryl sulfonamides to construct all-carbon quaternary stereocenters in high enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity is a notable feature of the reported work. The practicality of this chemistry for large scale and industrial applications is also included. Finally, a discussion of the future directions of proline sulfonamide organocatalysis is provided.