The development of catalytic nucleophilic substitution reactions: challenges, progress and future directions

Abstract

Bimolecular nucleophilic substitution reactions of alcohols are fundamentally important transformations in organic chemistry yet, to date, they are relatively underdeveloped with respect to catalysis. This Article describes the emerging area of catalytic S_N2 reactions with specific emphasis on the design and development of phosphorus(V) and cyclopropenone-based catalytic S_N2 reactions of alcohols.