Recent advances in Catellani-type reactions for the construction of valuable polycyclic scaffolds (2017-2026)

Since its discovery in the 1990s, the Catellani reaction has undergone remarkable development, with numerous mechanistic insights, methodological advancements, and synthetic applications emerging over the past decades. In this mini-review, we highlight recent progress in applying Catellani-type processes to the construction of polycyclic architectures. This powerful Pd/NBE cooperative catalysis has enabled access to increasingly complex and densely functionalized molecular frameworks, with numerous applications, from materials science to total synthesis. The present review summarizes the most recent polycyclic scaffolds obtained through Catellani strategies and is organized according to whether the norbornene mediator is incorporated into the final product or released during the catalytic cycle.