C-H Activation: A Complementary Tool in the Total Synthesis of Complex Natural Products

The recent advent of transition-metal mediated C?H activation is revolutionizing the synthetic field and gradually infusing a C?H activation mind-set in both students and practitioners of organic synthesis. As a powerful testament of this emerging synthetic tool, applications of C?H activation in the context of total synthesis of complex natural products are beginning to blossom. Herein, recently completed total syntheses showcasing creative and ingenious incorporation of C?H activation as a strategic manoeuver are compared with their non-C?H activation counterparts, illuminating a new paradigm in strategic synthetic design.