Emerging progress: photochemical transformation of nitroso compounds

Abstract

Nitroso compounds have emerged as highly valuable reaction partners or reagents in organic synthesis due to their rich reactivity. The versatile profile of these compounds allows them to function as electrophiles, nucleophiles, diradicals, and radical acceptors in diverse transformations. In recent years, notable progress has been made in harnessing photochemical reactions with nitroso compounds to prepare N,O-containing structures using mild and eco-friendly conditions. Various nitroso compounds like nitrosoarenes, acyloxy nitroso compounds, N-nitrosoamines and nitrites have received significant attention for their ability to introduce NO moieties into complex molecules that are otherwise difficult to access. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent advancements in the visible light-induced conversion of nitroso compounds, with particular emphasis on their role as bifunctional reagents and acceptors of radicals, carbenes and nitrenes.