TosMIC: A Powerful Synthon for Cyclization and Sulfonylation

Abstract

Abstractp‐tosylmethyl isocyanide (TosMIC) which is also known as van Leusen's reagent hold the three functionalized groups including the isocyanide and sulfonyl group and an alpha carbon which is acidic by nature. Tosyl set of this fortunate reagent acts as a good leaving group and assist the alpha carbon to contribute in a range of cyclization strategies. Exceptionally, TosMIC was also proved as a good sulfonylating and sulfomethylating reagent. TosMIC has proved as a powerful and versatile synthon and betrothed in the synthesis of broad range of heterocycles having pharmacological interest. This review is focused on synthetic utility of TosMIC in diverse range of heterocycles like five membered heterocycles, fused heterocycles, linked or tethered heterocycles, spiro compounds etc. It is also utilized for regio, chemo and stereoselective synthesis and production of sulfones and sulfinates. It serves as an important building block in various synthetic methodologies like multi component reaction, cyclization, domino, cascade and cycloaddition and metal catalysed reactions. Various new catalyst and novel methodologies were explored due to enormous use of this wonderful reagent.