Recent advances in the application of Diels–Alder reactions involving o-quinodimethanes, aza-o-quinone methides and o-quinone methides in natural product total synthesis

In recent decades, transient and highly reactive ortho-quinodimethanes (o-QDMs), ortho-quinone methides (o-QMs) and aza-ortho-quinone methides (aza-o-QMs) have attracted much attention and have been extensively studied and applied in organic synthesis, especially natural product total synthesis. This review summarizes recent advances in Diels-Alder reactions involving in situ-generated o-QDMs, o-QMs and aza-o-QMs, highlighting the power and potential of this strategy in organic synthesis and natural product total synthesis. An overview of the methods for generating these intermediates is also available.