This brief review presents a concise literature account of the metal-catalyzed cross-coupling
reactions of halomaleic anhydrides and halomaleimides leading to significant synthetic
and natural products. Metal-catalyzed Heck, Suzuki–Miyaura, Stille–Migita, Negishi,
Hiyama, and Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions with palladium as the key element
are discussed. The metal-catalyzed exchange of a vinylic leaving group by a carbon
nucleophile, the SNV reaction, gives a diverse range of bioactive natural and unnatural products.
Key words
halomaleic anhydride - halomaleimide - metal-catalyzed cross-coupling - bioactive
natural and unnatural products - synthesis