Synthesis 2012; 44(19): 2969-2984
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1317011
review
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Recent Applications of Cyclopropane-Based Strategies to Natural Product Synthesis

Pei Tang
a   Innovative Drug Research Centre, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, P. R. of China, Fax: +86(23)65678750   Email: qinyong@cqu.edu.cn
,
Yong Qin*
a   Innovative Drug Research Centre, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, P. R. of China, Fax: +86(23)65678750   Email: qinyong@cqu.edu.cn
b   Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Novel Delivery System of the Ministry of Education, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. of China
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 26 May 2012

Accepted after revision: 06 July 2012

Publication Date:
20 August 2012 (online)


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Abstract

Activated cyclopropanes show versatile reactivity and are therefore powerful building blocks in organic chemistry and natural product synthesis. This review focuses on recent applications of cyclopropane-based approaches to the syntheses of natural products. These applications include diverse processes involving cyclopropanation–ring-opening–cyclization or ring expansion to form key natural product skeletons.

1 Introduction

2 Formal Cycloaddition Strategies

2.1 Formal [3+2] Cycloaddition with Aldehydes and Ketones

2.2 Formal [4+3] Cycloaddition via Cope Rearrangement

2.3 Cycloaddition with Transition Metals

3 Cyclopropanation–Ring-Opening Strategies

4 Cyclopropanation–Ring-Opening–Cyclization Strategies

5 Ring Closing via Cyclopropanation

6 Conclusion