High-yielding asymmetric synthesis of bioactive and natural products through mild catalysis is an efficient approach in reaction engineering. In the early days, synthetic chemists mainly focused on the synthesis of complex molecules, with less attention on the reaction efficiency and eco-friendly conditions. Recent investigations have been directed towards the development of atom economy, eco-friendly and enantioselective synthesis for more targeted and efficient synthesis. Building on the momentum of this rapidly expanding research area, will provide a comprehensive introduction, from the preformed species, generation and onto their applications in the synthesis of bioactive molecules and natural products.