Abstract

Cyclooctatetraene [COT], a simple non-aromatic cyclic polyene, is capable of undergoing a variety of oxidation and cycloaddition reactions to afford polycyclic structures. In addition, complexation of COT or the cycloaddition products with transition metals facilitates bond formation. Recent developments in the reactivity of COT and application to the synthesis of naturally occurring and non-naturally occurring compounds is reviewed.

Keywords: Cyclooctatetraene, oxidation, Cycloaddition, synthesis, complex molecule, epoxide products, pentacycloanammoxic, cyclooctitols, carbonylation reactions, B-Allose