Synthetic organic chemists have a wide range of reagents for the alteration
of functional groups in organic compounds and the choice of usage is a continuous
challenge especially in the total synthesis of complex molecules. Oxidizing and
reducing agents play a vital role in the total synthesis of natural and synthetic
molecules having biological importance. In this chapter, we emphasize the recent
development of oxidizing and reducing agents in organic chemistry and their
importance in the field of synthesis. Heterogeneous nanocatalysts also emerged as
powerful catalysts employed in oxidation and reduction and are studied. Definitely,
oxidation-reduction in organic synthesis is an odyssey and it has ample association
with stereoselectivity, synthetic methods, catalysis, and green chemistry.
Keywords: Chemical transformations, Nanocatalysts, Natural products, Oxidation, Oxidizing agents, Recent advances, Reduction, Reducing agents, Synthetic organic chemistry, Total synthesis.
