Natural Product Synthesis by Intramolecular Alkylidene Carbene C−H Insertion

Abstract Direct functionalization of unactivated C−H bonds is of increasing importance in organic synthesis. Of the many methods that have been developed, intramolecular alkylidene C−H insertion, proceeding with retention of absolute configuration, is among the most versatile. This Review explores all examples of the use of intramolecular alkylidene C−H insertion in natural product synthesis.