317 339 367 387 417 433 457 475 Recent developments in asymmetric aldol methodology Alison S. Franklin and Ian Paterson Reviewing the literature published up to the end of 1993 Main group organometallics in synthesis Martin Wills Reviewing the literature published between July 1992 and December 1993 Synthesis of materials for molecular electronic applications Martin C. Grossel and Simon C. Weston Reviewing the literature published between mid-1 992 and December 1993 Control of asymmetry through conjugate addition reactions John Leonard Reviewing the literature published up to the end of March 1994 The synthesis of natural p-lactam antibiotics Robert Southgate Reviewing the literature published up to February 1994 Saturated and partially unsaturated carbocycles Christopher D.J. Boden and Gerald Pattenden Reviewing the literature published between August 1992 and January 1994 Recent developments in the synthesis of medium-ring ethers Mark C. Elliott Reviewing the literature published between 1 October 1990 and 30 June 1994 Amines and amides Michael North Reviewing the literature published between July 1992 and December 1993 Contributors to Volume I Blagg, Julian, 125 Boa, A. N., 47 Boden, Christopher D. J., Burns, Christopher J., 23 Cousins, R. P. C., 173 Dawson, Graham J., 77 Elliott, Mark C., 457 Franklin, Alison S., 317 Gilchrist, Thomas L., 205 Gribble, Gordon W., 145 433 Grossel, Martin C., 367 Jenkins, P. R., 47 Kilburn, Jeremy D., 259 Knight, D.W., 287 Lawrence, N. J., 47 Leonard, John, 387 Mascal, Mark, 31 Motherwell, W.B., 219 North, Michael, 475 Nutley, C. J., 219 Patel, Hitesh K., 259 Paterson, Ian, 317 Pattenden, Gerald, 433 Raper, Christopher M., 191 Southgate, Robert, 417 Spargo, P. L., 113 Steel, Patrick G., 1 Steele, John, 95 Sweeney, Joseph, 243 Weston, Simon C., 367 Williams, Jonathan M. J., 77 Wills, Martin, 339Contemporary Organic Synthesis Editorial Board Professor G. Pattenden, FRS (Chairman), University of Nottingham Professor P. D. Bailey, Heriot- Watt University Professor P. J. Kocienski, University of Southampton Professor C. J. Moody, Loughborough University of Technology Dr S. E. Thomas, Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine Professor E. J. Thomas, University of Manchester International Advisory Board Professor E. J. Corey, Harvard University Professor S.Hanessian, Universite' de Montrial Professor M. Julia, Universiti de Paris XI (Paris-Sud) Professor P. D. Magnus, University of Texas at Austin Professor G. Mehta, University of Hyderabad Professor K. C. Nicolaou, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla Professor R. Noyori, Nagoya University Professor L. E, Overman, University of California, Irvine Professor L. F. Tietze, University of Gottingen Contemporary Organic Synthesis is a bimonthly journal which aims to review and provide perspective in all aspects of methodology, selectivity, and efficiency in contemporary synthesis. As well as covering all the principles and methods in functional group chemistry and interconversions, organometallic chemistry and asymmetric synthesis will feature prominently, so too will modern aspects of strategy and computer aided design, biotransformations, and protecting group protocols.Special methods and techniques, such as sonochemistry, FVP, electroorganic synthesis, and supported catalysis will be included as occasional articles, and the manner in which synthesis addresses problems and provides solutions in biology, medicine, agriculture, the environment, and new materials, will also be encompassed. Contemporary Organic Synthesis aims to be proactive, drawing attention to new opportunities and new directions, providing timely information to the synthetic chemist who needs to keep abreast of developments in the field. Although the'majority of articles are intended to be specially commissioned, the Society is always prepared to consider offers of articles for publication.In such cases a short synopsis, rather than the completed article, should be submitted to the Senior Editor (Reviews), Books and Reviews Department, The Royal Society of Chemistry, Thomas Graham House, Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 4WF. Members of the Royal Society of Chemistry may subscribe to Contemporary Organic Synthesis by placing their orders on the Annual Subscription renewal forms in the usual way. All other orders accompanied with payment should be sent directly to The Royal Society of Chemistry, The Distribution Centre, Blackhorse Road, Letchworth, Herts SG6 lHN, England. 1994 subscription rate: EC &150, USA $282, Canada .€ 169 (plus GST ), Rest of the World &16 1. Air freight and mailing in the USA by Publications Expediting Inc., 200 Meacham Avenue, Elmont 1 103; USA Postmaster, send address changes to Contemporary Organic Synthesis, Publications Expediting Inc. Second class postage is paid at Jamaica, New York 1143 1. All other dispatches outside the UK are by Bulk Airmail within Europe and Accelerated Surface Post outside Europe. 0 The Royal Society of Chemistry, 1994 All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photographic, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers. Typeset by Unicus Graphics Ltd Printed in Great Britain by Whitstable Litho Ltd