The Directed Synthesis of Biaryl Compounds: Modern Concepts and Strategies

Abstract

The preparation and utilization of specific biaryl systems, particularly those which suffer hindered rotation, is a demanding goal not only in the synthesis of natural products and Pharmaceuticals, but also for example in the discovery of new reagents for asymmetric synthesis. This article will attempt to provide a topical review of modern, efficient processes for the specific preparation of biaryls. This appears to be of particular urgency, since, under the pressure of continually increasing demand, a wealth of new or modified synthetic approaches to the ever more important biaryl systems has been realized in recent years. The high standard which has been reached in this field is impressively demonstrated by regio‐ and stereoselective syntheses of important biaryl natural products such as steganone, ancistrocladine, ancistrocladisine, and dioncophylline A. Besides the utilization of asymmetric induction in the actual coupling step, the thermodynamically or kinetically controlled torsion of biaryl axes belongs to the most important concepts discussed.