From Exocyclic-Olefinic Carbohydrate Derivatives to Functionalized Carbocyclic Compounds

As the structural constituents of many naturally occurring molecules, synthesis of functionalized carbocyclic derivatives has been widely investigated. Among numerous approaches to construct carbocyclic compounds, there is an efficient way of forming carbocyclic derivatives by the use of various monosaccharides as chiral building blocks. In this review, synthetic conversions to functionalized carbocyclic compounds from exocyclic-olefinic saccharides and their applications to synthesis of some natural products or natural product-like analogues will be discussed. The emphases will be put on the latest methodology developments of ring-conversion rearrangement reactions catalyzed by metal catalysts.