Multicomponent and Multicatalytic Reactions - A Synthetic Strategy Inspired by Nature

The dream of chemists to imitate the efficiency of Nature for the construction of complex molecules from simple starting materials has driven the development of new concepts in the area of catalysis. In this context, “Multicomponent and Multicatalytic Reactions” have emerged as a highly valuable synthetic tool. These reactions try to mimic the way the enzymatic machinery transforms a series of starting materials into intricate structures. This microreview shows some relevant multicomponent and multicatalytic reactions with the intention of demonstrating the incredible potential of this type of processes. The content is organized according to the type of multicatalytic system used (metal/metal, metal/organic, or organic/organic). Multicomponent and multicatalytic reactions are among the newest trends in the context of catalysis. Selected recent examples showing the power and potential of these reactions are highlighted.