Total Synthesis of Natural Alkaloids via Ritter Reaction

The Ritter reaction, a powerful synthetic tool for constructing C─N bonds, has been extensively explored by synthetic, medicinal, and materials chemists since its discovery in 1948, resulting in significant achievements over the past seven decades. Although several excellent reviews and books have documented these advancements, a comprehensive review of the Ritter reaction as a key step in the total synthesis of natural alkaloids has not yet been discussed. This minireview provides a comprehensive overview of the application of the Ritter reaction in the total synthesis of natural alkaloids from 1982 to 2024, as well as a resource to facilitate future developments.