Abstract

p-Tosylmethyl isocyanide (TosMIC) and its derivatives represent an important class of polyfunctional reagents, making them privileged “building blocks” in the targeted organic synthesis to design a plethora of heterocycles as well as natural products. This review summarizes and highlights the synthetic potential of p-tosylmethyl isocyanide and its derivatives in the reaction with various aldehydes to afford valuable heterocycles. The catalytic and technological innovations discussed in the review reveal the ease of reaction. Moreover, their mechanistic schemes are also displayed.

Keywords: Aldehydes, p-tosylmethyl isocyanide, heterocycles, cycloaddition, catalysis, natural products.