Salient features of theaza-Wacker cyclization reaction

The intramolecularaza-Wacker reaction has unparalleled potential for the site-selective amination of olefins, but it is perhaps underappreciated relative to other alkene oxidations. The first part of this review makes the distinction between classical and tetheredaza-Wacker cyclization reactions and summarizes examples of the latter. The second portion focuses on developments in asymmetricaza-Wacker cyclization technology. The final part of the review summarizes applications of all classes ofaza-Wacker cyclization reactions to natural product assembly.