Abstract
This short review article covers some useful applications of alkynyltungsten compounds to the syntheses of complex lactones. Two types of cyclizations will be emphasized: (1) cycloalkenylation of tungsten-alkynol compounds with aldehydes to give α-alkylidene oxacarbeniums, further leading to α-alkylidene lactones and (2) intramolecular [3+2]-cycloaddition of epoxides to give bicyclic lactones. The new methodologies can provide a short synthesis of enantiopure lactones such as (-)-epilitsenolide C 2 , (+)-listenolide C 1 , (+)-isodihydromahubanolide A, (+)-blastmycinone, and (-)-epi-blastmycinone.