Advanced approach to polycyclics by a synergistic combination of enyne metathesis and Diels-Alder reaction.

Enyne metathesis (EM) has widely been used to prepare various synthetic and natural products. Further, a sequential use of EM and Diels-Alder (DA) reactions generates highly functionalized and intricate polycarbocycles and heterocyclic frameworks. In this critical review we describe the application of a unique combination of EM and DA reactions to prepare various amino acid derivatives, natural products and heterocycles. Some of the heterocyclic targets include cyclic peroxides, siloxanes and various nitrogen (or oxygen) containing compounds. Use of ethylene and cyclooctadiene (COD) for improving the yield of EM products are also discussed (69 references).