Thesis advisor: Marc L. Snapper / Chapter 1. Review of concept and methodology development for asymmetric allylation of carbonyls and imines. Chapter 2. Description of the catalytic asymmetric addition of allyltrichlorosilane to aldehydes catalyzed by a proline-based N-oxide catalyst. Chapter 3. Introduction of the first catalytic asymmetric silylation of alcohols for desymmetrization of meso-diols. Chapter 4. Presentation of asymmetric silylation for synthesis of chiral syn-1,2-diols by kinetic resolution or divergent reaction on a racemic mixture. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2008. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.