Abstract:
The current review summarizes the published data on transition metal complex-mediated chemistry of 1,3,5-cycloheptatrienes. It addresses homodimerization of cycloheptatrienes and cyclocodimerization of the latter with alkenes, dienes and alkynes in the presence of transition metal complexes that occur via [2$\pi$+2$\pi$], [3$\pi$+2$\pi$], [6$\pi$+2$\pi$], [6$\pi$+4$\pi$] and [6$\pi$+2$\pi$+2$\pi$] cycloadditions. Special attention is given to the application of these reactions in the synthesis of valuable strained bi-, tri- and polycyclic compounds and for the development of methods of stereoselective synthesis of natural products. The bibliography includes 91 references.