Synthesis of oxygen- and nitrogen-containing heterocycles by ring-closing metathesis

Little more than a decade has elapsed since Grubbs and Fu reported that Schrock's molybdenum catalyst C could be used to induce efficient cyclizations of functionalized α,ωdienes to give carbocycles and oxygen and nitrogen heterocycles via RCM. To date, there has been a virtual explosion of research in the area. It is predicted that the future holds considerable promise for more advances and applications of RCM not only in heterocycled chemistry but in other arenas as well.