The paper is a review article, and summarizes one of the most rapidly growing segments of organic chemistry. As a result of both a determined scientific interest—such as usually accompanies emerging fields—and the recognition of the huge potential of this new area, organocatalysis has received and continues to receive a considerable interest. While accounts of different domains are steadily being published, our work was one of the first comprehensively critical treatments of this chemistry.

Organocatalysis is the process of acceleration of chemical reaction with a substoichiometric amount of an organic compound, which does not contain a metal atom. This type of catalysis is complementary with the metal-complex mediated, and also, with biocatalytic transformations. Preparative advantages are notable: usually reactions can be performed under an aerobic atmosphere, with wet solvents and an inexpensive bench-stable catalyst, and they are incomparably more robust than enzymes or other bioorganic catalysts. Also, these small organic molecules can be immobilized and reused more conveniently than organometallic/bioorganic analogs, and promise adaptation to high throughput screening and process chemistry.

As many of my peers, I am fascinated by the possibilities that this new field offers for academic, industrial, and ecological uses. Yet, despite the spectacular advances that this chemistry has generated, there remain a number of shortcomings which further research should resolve. This is indeed the "golden age" of organocatalysis and, in the current research environment; it is an ideal time to undertake these endeavors.