A review of kinetic control in the diastereogenic formation of C-C bonds, Diels-Alder reactions, [2 + 2] cyclodimerization of olefins, syn preference in the formation of cyclopropanes from olefins and monosubstituted carbenes, reactions of organometallics with carbonyl compds., and Wittig reactions, with 37 refs. [on SciFinder (R)]