Organocatalysts for asymmetric synthesis can be grouped in several classes:
* Biomolecules: proline, phenylalanine. Secondary amines in general. The cinchona alkaloids, certain oligopeptides.
* Synthetic catalysts derived from biomolecules.
* Hydrogen bonding catalysts, including TADDOLS, derivatives of BINOL such as NOBIN, and organocatalysts based on thioureas
* Triazolium salts as next-generation Stetter reaction catalysts
Examples of asymmetric reactions involving organocatalysts are:
* Asymmetric Diels-Alder reactions
* Asymmetric Michael reactions
* Asymmetric Mannich reactions
* Shi epoxidation
* Organocatalytic transfer hydrogenation