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Catalytic carbene transfer reactions are fundamental transformations in modern organic synthesis, which enable direct access to diverse structurally complex molecules. Despite diazo precursors playing a crucial role in catalytic carbene transfer reactions, most reported methodologies take into account only diazoacetates or related compounds. This is primarily because diazoalkanes, unless they contain a resonance stabilizing group, are more susceptible to violent exothermic decomposition. In this feature article, we present an alternative approach to carbene-transfer reactions based on the formation of highly electrophilic silver carbenes from N-sulfonylhydrazones, where the high electrophilicity of silver carbenes stems from the weak interaction between silver and the carbenic carbon. These precursors are readily accessible, stable, and environmentally sustainable. Using the strategy that employs highly electrophilic silver carbenes, it is possible to develop novel intermolecular transformations involving non-stabilized carbenes, including C(sp3)–H insertion, C(sp3)–C(O) insertion, cycloaddition, and defluorinative functionalization. The silver-catalyzed carbene transfer reactions described here have high efficiency, unusual reactivity, exceptional selectivity, and a reaction pathway that differs from typical transition metal-catalyzed reactions. Our research provided fundamental insight into silver carbene chemistry, and we hope to apply this mode of catalysis to other more general transformations, including asymmetric transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluoroalkyl 1,2,3-triazoles have great potential as medicinal chemistry building blocks. However, only a few synthetic routes to these compounds are currently available. Herein, we report on a novel method to access 5-fluoroalkyl 1,2,3-triazoles from easily prepared bench-stable perfluoroalkyl N-mesylhydrazone (PFHZ-Ms), a reagent that can transform amines to 5 fluoroalkyl 1,2,3-triazoles via defluorinative [4 + 1] annulation. The simple reaction protocol can be applied to a variety of amines containing a range of functional groups, delivering 1,2,3-triazoles in good to excellent yield. The utility of this method was demonstrated in the late-stage modification of bioactive molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, radical C–C bond cleavage reactions have been increasingly understood and used to perform transformations that complement traditional ionic processes. However, to date radical C–C bond cleavage/functionalization reactions have not been the subject of a dedicated review. Herein we summarize the most recent and significant developments in the radical activation and functionalization of carbon–carbon bonds, with an emphasis on both synthetic outcomes and reaction mechanisms, and highlight how these radical C–C bond cleavage reactions enable challenging transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]