Synthetic Strategies for Converting Carbohydrates into Carbocycles by the Use of Olefin Metathesis

This microreview covers recent advances in the use of ring-closing metathesis for the synthesis of carbocycles from carbohydrates. Various strategies for the synthesis of a,w-dienes from carbohydrates are presented, which give rise to a large variety of dienes with different stereochemistry, protecting groups and substituents. Subsequent ring-closing metathesis with a ruthenium carbene complex affords highly functionalized carbocycles with ring-sizes ranging from five- to eight-membered rings. The application of these methods for the synthesis of carbocyclic natural products from carbohydrates is also demonstrated.