The Pauson–Khand reaction, a powerful synthetic tool for the synthesis of complex molecules

Abstract

There are still some synthetic chemists who hesitate to use metal-mediated or -catalysed reactions. The Pauson–Khand reaction (PKR) is a powerful transformation that has now been sufficiently well developed to be routinely considered when planning a synthesis, especially of polycyclic complex molecules. This tutorial review aims to encourage the use of this process explaining the best ways of performing a PKR both in the stoichiometric and the catalytic version, showing the scope of the process and its limitations. Additionally, asymmetry can be introduced in the reaction using several strategies, which will be discussed. The most recent examples of the synthetic applications of the PKR in natural product synthesis will give the reader an idea of the great usefulness of this reaction.