Tetrahedron report number 230 : Synthesis of macrocyclic compounds by ring enlargement

Abstract

A summary of important ring expansion strategies, including recent references, is presented in Section 1. Subsequently the synthesis of macrocyclic ketones, lactams and lactones involving the heterolytic cleavage of the bridge bond in bicyclic intermediates is discussed. Typical applications in the field of natural product synthesis are shown. Finally the ring enlargement strategies are compared, pointing out the advantages and drawbacks of each method.