Applications of Yamaguchi Method to Esterification and Macrolactonization in Total Synthesis of Bioactive Natural Products

Abstract Yamaguchi protocol provides functionalized esters regioselectively from carboxylic acids and alcohols employing 2,4,6‐trichlorobenzoyl chloride as the condensation reagent in the presence of a stoichiometric amount of 4‐ N , N ‐dimethylaminopyridine. The key features of this method comprise a high yield of esters, short reaction time, mild conditions, macrocyclic lactone ring formation, and regioselective preparation of highly functionalized esters. Such beneficial quality of this method as a whole have motivated the organic chemist and biological community to explore the application of Yamaguchi protocol in more heights and as a result, the present overview is aimed to cover the application of this method as a key step in the area of the total synthesis of bioactive natural products. The present review tries to focus on the natural sources, structures, and biological activities of the promising natural products elegantly.