The high functional group tolerance of the intramolecular Heck reaction allows it to be used at a very late stage in synthetic routes. In a synthesis of (±)-FR900482, IMHR establishes a tricyclic ring system in high yield without disturbing any of the sensitive functionality nearby.
Intramolecular Heck reactions have been employed for the construction of complex natural products. An example is the late-stage, macrocyclic ring closure in the total synthesis of the cytotoxic natural product (–)-Mandelalide A.
In another example a fully intramolecular tandem Heck reaction is used in a synthesis of (–)-scopadulcic acid. A 6-exo cyclization sets the quaternary center and provides a neopentyl σ-palladium intermediate, which undergoes a 5-exo reaction to provide the ring system.