Applications of benzotriazole methodology in heterocycle ring synthesis and substituent introduction and modification

Abstract Applications of benzotriazole methodology for the preparation of heterocyclic compounds are reviewed. The characteristic advantages of benzotriazole as a synthetic auxiliary are first briefly considered. This is followed by a summary of its use in ring synthesis in which the construction of small; five‐membered; six‐membered; and larger heterocyclic rings using benzotriazole methodology are each examined separately. Finally, consideration of the use of benzotriazole in the ring annulation ‐ particularly benzannulation ‐ of heterocycles. Subsequent sections deal with the introduction of substituents into aromatic heterocycles; the ring substitution of saturated heterocycles; and benzotriazole assisted modification of heterocyclic substituents. The present review supplements a recent comprehensive review of benzotriazole chemistry [1] which covers the literature through 1996.