Reactive nitrogen species: Nitrosonium ions in organic synthesis

Abstract

Nitrosonium ions are versatile and mild oxidants, which were successfully employed in organic transformations. The applications cover different fields, such as the functionalization of carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds, functionalization of unsaturated bonds and the oxidative coupling of arenes, catalyzed by nitrosonium ions. Due to the ability of nitrosonium ions to modify various types of bonds with different modes of action, a variety of applications has been established, which addresses current challenges in organic chemistry research. By considering additional points, such as safety of reagents, by-product formation, employed solvents and energy consumption, several aspects of green and sustainable chemistry can be addressed. Within this review, synthetic applications of nitrosonium ions under transition metal-free reaction conditions are summarized.