Synthetic approaches towards structurally diverse γ-butyrolactone natural-product-like compounds

Natural products containing a gamma-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 gamma-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.