Abstract

This paper provides a review on ring closure reactions proceeding via intermediate nitrene formation published during the past 15 years. These cyclisations are classified according to the reaction types taking place. These are nitrene aromatic C-H insertions to form indoles, pyridine rings, nitrene – alicyclic CH insertions to fused oxazolidones, various other insertions on CH bonds in diverse saturated ring and aliphatic chains, nitrene insertion on a methoxy group, addition of the nitrene to a double bond, reactions with intermediate ring formation and subsequent transformation, N-N bond formation by addition of an electrophilic nitrene, and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of acyl nitrenes and C=C double bonds.

Keywords: Ring Closures, Heterocycles, Nitrenes, indoles, pyridine rings, N-N bond formation