Recent Advances on the Application of Electrocyclic Reactions in Complex Natural Product Synthesis

Abstract The electrocyclic reaction is one of the most powerful tools for the construction of complex polycyclic scaffolds in a highly stereocontrolled fashion. In this review, recent advances in its application in the total synthesis of representative natural products are discussed, with the aim of providing a complement to existing reviews. 1 Introduction 2 4π Electrocyclization 2.1 Neutral 4π Electrocyclization 2.2 Cationic 4π Electrocyclization 3 6π Electrocyclization 3.1 All-Carbon 6π Electrocyclization 3.2 Oxa-6π Electrocyclization 3.3 Aza-6π Electrocyclization 3.4 Retro-6π Electrocyclization 4 8π Electrocyclization 5 Conclusion and Outlook