Asymmetric organocatalysis and the nitro group functionality

Cobb, A., Arezki, N., Dell'Isola, A. and Aitken, L. (2013) Asymmetric organocatalysis and the nitro group functionality. Synthesis-Stuttgart, 45 (19). pp. 2627-2648. ISSN 0039-7881 doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1338522

Abstract/Summary

The nitro group is an exceptionally versatile functional group, not only because it is essentially a masked amine, but also because its chemistry can be exploited in a number of useful ways. Asymmetric organocatalysis in particular has capitalized on the use of the nitro group towards the synthesis of a variety of nitrogen- containing targets. Perhaps of greatest interest is that this functional group has been shown to be invaluable within the rapidly expanding field of organocatalytic domino reactions. This review features selected examples of nitro group reactivity in organocatalysis to demonstrate its dynamism and utility.