Heck macrocyclization in natural product total synthesis.

Area of Science:

• Organic Chemistry
• Synthetic Chemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry

Background:

• The Mizoroki-Heck reaction is a Nobel Prize-winning carbon-carbon bond-forming reaction.
• Macrocycles are large ring structures prevalent in many natural products and pharmaceuticals.
• Heck macrocyclization offers a method to construct these complex structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a systematic review of Heck macrocyclization.
• To highlight its applications in natural product synthesis.
• To assess its viability as a tool for macrocycle research.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature from 1981-2020 focusing on Heck macrocyclization.
• Analysis of sixteen selected case studies in natural product synthesis.
• Examination of the methodology's evolution and capabilities.

Main Results:

• Heck macrocyclization transforms coupled precursors into macrocyclic structures.
• The reaction yields products with enhanced rigidity and specific functional group arrangements.
• The methodology has proven effective in diverse natural product syntheses.

Conclusions:

• Heck macrocyclization is a powerful and versatile strategy for synthesizing macrocycles.
• It represents a competent option for accessing complex natural products.
• The review establishes Heck macrocyclization as a viable tool for synthesis-enabled macrocycle research.