Macrocyclization tactics: The MCR approach

Macrocycles have been designated as new modalities that can tackle many problems related to both drug discovery and material science. However, only a few synthetic methods allow convergent and fast access to an enormous macrocyclic chemical space. Most of the time, their synthesis is complex, multistep and sequential. Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) can play an important role in the synthesis of these molecules, adding to the arsenal of the modern synthetic chemist. Herein, we categorize and analyze the tactics employed in the synthesis of diverse and complex macrocycles over the last seven years. (c) 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.