http://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/special_issues/baylis-hillman-reaction/ Submission All papers should be submitted to molecules@mdpi.com with copy to the guest editor. To be published continuously until the deadline and papers will be listed together at the special websites. Submitted papers should not have been previously published nor be currently under consideration for publication elsewhere. All papers are refereed through a peer review process. A guide for authors, sample copies and other relevant information for submitting papers are available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed monthly journal published by MDPI. Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a paper. Article Processing Charges (APC) are 800 CHF per paper and additional English correction fees (250 CHF) will be added in certain cases (1050CHF per paper for those papers that require extensive additional formatting and/or English corrections) for paper submitted before 31 December 2009. Starting 1 January 2010, Article Processing Charges are of 1400 CHF per accepted article for Molecules. http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/15/2/709/ Conscious of the importance that stereochemical issues may have on the design of efficient organocatalyts for both Morita-Baylis-Hillman and aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction we have analyzed them in this minireview. The so-called standard reactions involve “naked” enolates which therefore should lead to the syn adducts as the major products, irrespective of the E, Z stereochemistry of the enolate. Accordingly, provided the second step is rate determining step, the design of successful bifunctional or polyfunctional catalysts has to consider the geometrical requirements imposed by the transition structures of the second step of these reactions. On the other hand, MBH and aza-MBH reactions co-catalyzed by (S)-proline and a secondary or tertiary amine (co-catalyst) involve the aldol-type condensation of either a 3-amino-substituted enamine, dienamine, or both, depending on the cases. A Zimmerman-Traxler mechanism defines the stereochemical issues regarding these co-catalyzed condensations which parallel those of the well established (S)-proline catalyzed aldol-like reactions. http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/15/2/709/ Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CET Molecules 2010-02-01 15 2 Review 709 734 1420-3049 Enantioselective, Organocatalytic Morita-Baylis-Hillman and Aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman Reactions: Stereochemical Issues 2010-02-01 doi: 10.3390/molecules15020709 Javier Mansilla José M. Saá http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/14/10/3989/ This short review presents new insights on the mechanism and online monitoring using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI–MS/MS) of Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) reactions. MBH reactions are versatile carbon-carbon organocatalyzed bond forming reactions, making them environmentally friendly due to general organocatalysts employed. The organocatalyst behavior, which controls the transition state and thus the enantioselectivities in the obtained products, is very important in the performance of asymmetric MBH transformations. Some recent techniques and advances in asymmetric transformations are reviwed, as well as online reaction monitoring and analysis of the reaction intermediates. The mechanism accepted nowadays is also review through the insights gained from the use of ESI–MS/MS techniques. http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/14/10/3989/ Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CEST Molecules 2009-10-12 14 10 Review 3989 4021 1420-3049 The Morita-Baylis-Hillman Reaction: Insights into Asymmetry and Reaction Mechanisms by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry 2009-10-12 doi: 10.3390/molecules14103989 Verónica Carrasco-Sanchez Mario J. Simirgiotis Leonardo S. Santos http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/14/8/2824/ Reactions of(4S,5R)-1-(3,4-Dimethyl-2-oxo-5-phenylimidazolidine)carbonyl-isocyanate (4) with appropriate Baylis-Hillman adducts 5 gave the corresponding acyl carbamates 6,7 as equimolar diastereomeric mixtures. These mixtures were treated with DABCO, to afford with moderate diastereoselection easily separable [2-(3",4"-dimethyl-2"-oxo-5"-phenylimidazolidine-1-carboxamido)(aryl)methyl]acrylates 8 and 9. http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/14/8/2824/ Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CEST Molecules 2009-07-30 14 8 Communication 2824 2835 1420-3049 Enantiopure Derivatives of Aza-Baylis-Hillman Adducts by Subsequent SN′-SN′ Reactions of Acylcarbamates Bearing a Chiral Auxiliary 2009-07-30 doi: 10.3390/molecules14082824 Gianluca Martelli Eleonora Marcucci Mario Orena Samuele Rinaldi