Precision single-atom editing: new frontiers in nitrogen insertion and substitution for the generation of N-heterocycles

Abstract

Single-atom editing, which involves precise modifications to a ring system through the selective insertion, deletion or substitution of atoms, represents a crucial advancement in the manipulation of chemically active molecules. This review focuses primarily on the editing of nitrogen atoms, including the insertion of N, the substitution of C with N and ¹⁴N with ¹⁵N for the construction of N-heterocycles. The emphasis on the nitrogen source facilitates a deeper understanding of the reactions involved. We anticipate that this review will not only underscore the innovative and enabling capabilities of current nitrogen single-atom editing techniques but also highlight the significant opportunities and untapped possibilities within this emerging and valuable field.