Recent applications of CH functionalization in complex molecule synthesis

We have witnessed the striking advancement of CH functionalization in organic synthesis over the past decade. This short review spotlights the very recent applications of CH functionalization in natural product synthesis and drug synthesis. Some representative examples of natural product total synthesis facilitated by CH functionalization are classified by CO, CC, CN or C-X bond formation. Three different total syntheses are highlighted in details, in which iterative CH functionalization strategy is involved. Another example of Merck's synthesis of anacetrapib is also discussed to briefly demonstrate the broad application of CH functionalization strategy in process chemistry of pharmaceutical industry.