Recent Developments in Prins Cyclization Towards the Synthesis of Spirocyclic Scaffolds

Prins cyclization stands as one of the most versatile tools for constructing carbon–carbon, and carbon–hetero bonds in a single step. Its most remarkable feature lies in its high diastereoselectivity, which has made it an indispensable strategy in modern organic synthesis. The advent of asymmetric variants has further amplified its synthetic utility, enabling easy access to complex ring systems frequently encountered in natural products. Prins cyclization combined with other synthetic approaches has made substantial progress in synthesizing intricate spirocyclic structures that are found in natural products and compounds with biological activity. This review provides a concise overview of recent advancements (from 2017 onwards) in Prins and aza‐Prins cyclization, with a particular focus on their applications in the synthesis of spirocyclic architectures including bioactive molecules and natural products. Emphasis is placed on the synthetic strategies where Prins cyclization serves as the key step in achieving structural complexity. The content is tailored to benefit synthetic organic chemists, especially those focussed on constructing heterocyclic and spirocyclic scaffolds for pharmaceutical and natural product research.