Abstract
For the rapid elaboration of polycarbocyclic scaffolds, prevalent in many important
families of terpenoid natural products, allyl cations derived from simple heterocyclic
alcohols can be used as versatile reaction partners in both (4+3) and (3+2) cycloaddition
pathways. Our recent progress in this area is outlined, pointing towards the untapped
potential of heterocycles to act as reagents in novel or known but challenging organic
transformations.
1 Heterocyclic Reagents
2 Cycloadditions and Allyl Cations
3 Furfuryl Cations in Cycloadditions
4 Heterocycle-Substituted Cations in Cycloadditions
5 Mechanistic Considerations
6 Conclusions and Outlook
Key words
heterocycles - dithiins - furans - carbocations - cycloaddition - natural products
- carbocycles - fused-ring systems