Recent advances in application of the Stetter reaction in heterocyclic chemistry

Abstract

The Stetter reaction is a carboncarbon bond forming reaction leading to products of 1,4-addition involving a nucleophilic catalyst. It includes a reaction of aldehydes and Michael acceptors catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC’s) resulting in construction of 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds which are important precursors and intermediates in the formation of various heterocycles, and bioactive heterocyclic scaffolds that are found in naturally occurring compounds. In this chapter, we highlight advances in the Stetter reaction especially intramolecular and enantioselective reactions for the synthesis of various heterocycles.