Flourishing reactivities of isocyanates and isothiocyanates using group 13 elements

Due to the upswing in interest in the development of efficient hydroelementation reactions to construct C–heteroatom bonds either stoichiometrically or catalytically, the activation of isocyanates and isothiocyanates has received recent attention. The activation and derivatization of isocyanates and isothiocyanates using earth-abundant and inexpensive group 13 main-group compounds have lately been observed more frequently. In this review, we aim to highlight the activation of the C=N vs. C=O and C=S bonds, the scope of cycloaddition reactions of iso(thio)cyanates with group 13 compounds, and recent findings using frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs). In addition, the hydroboration and hydroamination reactions of these substrates are also discussed to formulate synthetically important urea/amide or thioamide derivatives.