What are the mechanisms and synthetic strategies involved in asymmetric catalysis, and how do they enable the selective formation of chiral molecules with high enantiomeric purity? Furthermore, what are some recent advances and applications of asymmetric catalysis in pharmaceutical synthesis and materials science?

Asymmetric catalysis involves the use of chiral catalysts to facilitate chemical reactions with high stereoselectivity, yielding enantiomerically pure products. Strategies include transition metal catalysis, organocatalysis, and biocatalysis. Recent advances in asymmetric catalysis have revolutionized drug discovery and development by enabling the efficient synthesis of complex chiral molecules with pharmaceutical significance, as well as the design of advanced materials with tailored properties.