Radical Mediated Asymmetric Organocatalysis: Catalyst Design and Stereocontrol Strategies

Recent advances in radical-mediated asymmetric organocatalysis are changing the way modern organic chemistry is done, opening up new possibilities where radical reactions and chiral molecule design meet. This review brings together the main developments in catalyst structures, including chiral amines, N-heterocyclic carbenes, photo-redox asymmetric organocatalysts, and complex systems that help control the stereochemistry of short-lived radical intermediates. The key point of this review is to bring together these different innovations from various fields, showing both the latest strategies for controlling stereochemistry and the ongoing challenges that researchers face. The methods covered include photochemical, electrochemical, and cooperative catalytic approaches, all of which rely on well-designed catalysts and a deeper understanding of how radical reactions choose their paths. Together, these advances point to a bright future for organocatalysis as a tool for innovation in asymmetric radical chemistry. Likewise, this review will explore their practical uses, the limitations they face, and the progress made between 2018 and 2025.