Thesis advisor: Marc L. Snapper / Chapter 1: Brief overview of the catalytic enantioselective functionalization and kinetic resolution of alcohols Chapter 2: Kinetic resolution of syn-diols by catalytic enantioselective sulfonylation Chapter 3: Significant improvement on catalytic enantioselective silylation of syn-diols and triols through the use of a tetrazole additive / Thesis (MS) — Boston College, 2012. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.