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Nitrogen atom widely exists in many organic molecules and biomacromolecules. Therefore, the formation and transformation of C–N bonds are one of the most attractive topics in organic synthetic chemistry. Although a few works in this area had been reported before 2010, more than 250 papers focus on this field were published thereafter. This paper reviewed recent works on the synthesis of 21 types of frequently-encountered molecules from simple N-containing compounds catalyzed by various transition-metals.

Semibullvalene (SBV) and its aza analogue 2,6-diazasemibullvalene (NSBV) are theoretically interesting and experimentally challenging organic molecules because of four unique features: highly strained ring systems, intramolecular skeletal rearrangement, extremely rapid degenerate (aza-)Cope rearrangement, and the predicted existence of neutral homoaromatic delocalized structures. SBV has received much attention in the past 50 years. In contrast, after NSBV was predicted in 1971 and the first in situ synthesis was realized in 1982, no progress on NSBV chemistry was made until our results in 2012. We have been interested in the reaction chemistry of 1,4-dilithio-1,3-butadienes (dilithio reagents for short), especially for their applications in the synthesis of SBV and NSBV, because (i) the cyclodimerization of dilithio reagents could provide the potential eight-carbon skeleton of SBV from four-carbon butadiene units and (ii) the insertion reaction of dilithio reagents with C≡N bonds of two nitriles could provide a 6C + 2N skeleton that might be a good precursor for the synthesis of NSBV. Therefore, we initiated a journey into the synthesis and reaction chemistry of SBV and NSBV starting from dilithio reagents that has been ongoing since 2006. In this Account, we outline mainly our recent achievements in the synthesis, structural characterization, reaction chemistry, synthetic application, and theoretical/computational analysis of NSBV. Two efficient strategies for the synthesis of NSBV from dilithio reagents and nitriles via oxidant-induced C-N bond formation are described. Structural investigations of NSBV, including X-ray crystal structure analysis, determination of the activation barrier for the aza-Cope rearrangement, and theoretical analysis, show that the localized structure of NSBV is the predominant form and that the homoaromatic delocalized structure exists as a minor component in the equilibrium. We also discuss the reaction chemistry and synthetic applications of NSBV. Several novel reaction patterns have been explored, including thermolysis, C-N bond insertion, rearrangement-cycloaddition, oxidation, and nucleophilic ring-opening reactions. Diverse and interesting N-containing polycyclic skeletons can be constructed, such as nickelaazetidine, 1,5-diazatriquinacenes, and triazabrexadienes, which are not available by other means. Our results show that NSBV not only features a rapid aza-Cope rearrangement with a low activation barrier but also acts as unique synthetic reagent that is significantly different from aziridine. The strained rigid ring systems as a whole can be involved in the reactions. Our achievements highlight two significant advances: (i) the well-established efficient synthesis and isolation of NSBV has greatly accelerated the development of NSBV chemistry, and (ii) the previously unattainable molecules have become "normal" and routine starting materials for the synthesis of otherwise unavailable but interesting structures. We expect that our pursuits will inspire and help direct future chemical and physical research on NSBV.

ConspectusSemibullvalene (SBV) and its aza analogue 2,6-diazasemibullvalene (NSBV) are theoretically interesting and experimentally challenging organic molecules because of four unique features: highly strained ring systems, intramolecular skeletal rearrangement, extremely rapid degenerate (aza-)Cope rearrangement, and the predicted existence of neutral homoaromatic delocalized structures. SBV has received much attention in the past 50 years. In contrast, after NSBV was predicted in 1971 and the first in situ synthesis was realized in 1982, no progress on NSBV chemistry was made until our results in 2012. We have been interested in the reaction chemistry of 1,4-dilithio-1,3-butadienes (dilithio reagents for short), especially for their applications in the synthesis of SBV and NSBV, because (i) the cyclodimerization of dilithio reagents could provide the potential eight-carbon skeleton of SBV from four-carbon butadiene units and (ii) the insertion reaction of dilithio reagents with C≡N bonds of two nitrile...

Metallacyclopentadienes have attracted much attention as building blocks for synthetic chemistry as well as key intermediates in many metal-mediated or metal-catalyzed reactions. However, metallacyclopentadienes of the alkaline-earth metals have not been reported, to say nothing of their structures, reaction chemistry, and synthetic applications. In this work, the first series of magnesiacyclopentadienes, spiro-dilithio magnesiacyclopentadienes, and dimagnesiabutadiene were synthesized from 1,4-dilithio 1,3-butadienes. Single-crystal X-ray structural analysis of these magnesiacycles revealed unique structural characteristics and bonding modes. Their reaction chemistry and synthetic application were preliminarily studied and efficient access to amino cyclopentadienes was established through their reaction with thioformamides. Experimental and DFT calculations demonstrated that these magnesiacyclopentadienes could be regarded as bis(Grignard) reagents wherein the two Mg-C(sp(2)) bonds have a synergetic effect when reacting with substrates.

The development of organometallic reagents remains one of the most important frontiers in synthetic chemistry. In this review, we summarize our research on the structures, reactions, and synthetic applications of 1,4-dilithio-1,3-butadienes as organo-di-lithio reagents. The 1,4-dilithio-1,3-butadienes bearing a wide variety of substitution patterns on the butadienyl skeleton can be readily prepared in high efficiency. The configuration has been predicted and demonstrated to favor a double dilithium bridging structure in both solution and solid states. The two Li atoms are bridged by a butadiene moiety and are in close proximity. By taking advantage of this unique configuration, we have developed useful and interesting synthetic methodologies. Three types of reactions of 1,4-dilithio-1,3-butadienes have been developed and are discussed: intramolecular reaction, intermolecular reaction, and transmetallation. First, intramolecular reaction is introduced as a result of the intra-cooperative effect among the two C–Li moieties, the butadienyl bridge, and the substituents. A useful transformation from silylated 1,4-dilithio-1,3-butadienes to α-lithio siloles is described. Second, we discuss an intermolecular reaction that results from the inter-cooperative effect of the two C–Li moieties toward substrates. The intermolecular reactions are featured with formation of oxy-cyclopentadienyl dilithium via the reaction of di-lithio reagents with CO and formation of a series of N-heterocycles via the reaction of di-lithio reagents with nitriles. Third, we discuss transmetallation of di-lithio reagents with aluminum, copper, iron, zinc, or barium salts to generate diversified organo-di-metallic or metallacyclic compounds. The dimetallic 1,4-dilithio-1,3-butadienes and their transmetallated derivatives provide unique synthetic organometallic reagents that are different from monometallic reagents, both in terms of reactivity and in synthetic application. These organo-di-metallic reagents provide the access to interesting and useful compounds that are not available by other means, such as N-, O-, and Si-containing heterocycles, strained ring systems, metal-containing macrocycles, and metal complexes bearing new types of ligand.

[reaction: see text] Vinyl allenes were prepared in high yields by the Wittig-Horner reaction of 1-lithio-1,3-dienyl phosphine oxides with aldehydes. 1-Lithio-1,3-dienyl phosphine oxides were generated in situ from lithiation of 1-iodo-1,3-dienyl phosphine oxides, which were obtained by iodination of alpha-phosphinozirconacyclopentadienes. As a whole, a vinyl allene is synthesized from two different alkynes and one aldehyde.