Nitrilium ions – synthesis and applications

Abstract

Nitrilium ions have been well-established in organic chemistry for many decades, but recent developments show them to be far more versatile than hitherto recognized. They are known as stable salts, can be generated in situ, or are present as transient intermediates. We provide a succinct, but comprehensive review on the synthesis, stability, and reactivity of nitrilium ions as synthons for imines, their use in the synthesis of a large spectrum of heterocycles, and their reactions with transition metal complexes. By offering this overview, we aim for a renewed focus on readily accessible and simple to use nitrilium ions as valuable reagents for the synthesis of organic compounds.