Recent advances in the Hauser annulation

In the 1970s, the chemistry of well-known anticancer anthracyclines brought forth a fundamentally new benzannulation. The reaction has matured and is now widely accepted as a preferred benzannulation. This review covers the information added to the topic spanning the period 1995-2006. Specific topics discussed include the types of Hauser donors, reactions of the Hauser donors, analogs of Hauser donors, preparation of isobenzofuranones, reaction conditions, scope and limitations and allied reactions.