SYMMETRY AND SYNTHETIC CHEMISTRY

Orbital Symmetry concepts pioneered by Woodward and Hoffman have resul ted in the development of a vast subject in its own and have helped in proper understanding of numerous chemical processes including pericyc lic reactions, photocycloadditions, photoinitiated ring opening reacti ons, etc. Molecular symmetry, in parallel with orbital symmetry, has h elped in simplifying structural elucidation by spectroscopic technique s, probing mechanistic aspects of chemical reactions, chemical reactiv ity and synthesis,, diagnosing structural features for optical activit y, dipole moment, etc. With the symmetry concepts, basic sciences ente red a revolutionary era so enchanting and soothing that it has consist ently continued to enjoy a prominent place. Symmetry concepts have bee n extensively used by the practioners of theoretical chemistry and muc h less so by synthetic chemists. Use of symmetry concepts by the latte r has started slowly to emerge and noticeable success has been achieve d. Important contributions are in the areas of natural products synthe ses and in drug research;where high degree of enantioselection has bee n forced through the use of auxilliaries of perfect C-2 symmetry. Symm etry concepts are, therefore, important to practitioners in all sphere s of chemistry and a good knowledge and clear understanding of the sam e is, therefore, desirable. The present review covers some salient fea tures of symmetry with emphasis on its applications in organic synthes es.