Synthetic Approaches towards structurally divers γ-Butyrolactone Natural Product-like Compounds

Abstract

Natural products containing a γ-butyrolactone ring are abundant in nature; however, few general synthetic approaches to their stereoselective synthesis with broad structural variety are known. In this article, recent developments towards mono- and polycyclic γ-butyrolactone natural products and analogs are discussed. A special focus is given to asymmetric methods applying transition metal or organocatalysts that allow not only the efficient introduction of a broad variety of functional groups but ideally also the flexible construction of various natural-product-like, polycyclic scaffolds from common precursors.