C–H functionalization enabled by multiple isocyanides

Abstract

Past decades have witnessed significant advance of isocyanides as a class of versatile organic synthons as well as their broad applications in multi-component reactions (MCRs) and other tandem reactions. Reactions involving multiple isocyanides allow the construction of molecules with further diversification and complexity, while C–H functionalization emphasizes the advantages of high atom economy, broad substrate availability and great synthetic efficiency. This promising synergistic strategy of C–H functionalization involving multiple isocyanides provides a variety of valuable synthetic methods for organic chemists’ toolbox and offers considerable potential in pharmaceutical chemistry and materials science as well. The present review outlines in detail various reaction types of C–H functionalization enabled by multiple isocyanides, and the relevant mechanistic rationale is discussed.