The Electrocyclization of Heptatrienyl Anions

Abstract The thermal electrocyclization of heptatrienyl anions is reviewed. We begin with a succinct background on the importance of cycloheptane rings in complex molecules and a brief survey of approaches to their synthesis. We also review the fundamental aspects of this electrocyclization manifold, relying on the Woodward–Hoffmann rules for pericyclic chemistry. Then we survey the literature, covering the burst of discovery in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and the more sporadic reports in from the 1990s to the present day. 1 Introduction 2 The Electrocyclization of Heptatrienyl Anions 3 Discovery and Early Development (1964–1975) 4 Recent Developments (1996–2023) 5 Concluding Remarks