Nitrous Oxide, N2O
Nitrous oxide is an O atom transfer reagent, that is relatively nontoxic (laughing gas). Due to its low reactivity, selective oxidation reactions of highly reactive compounds are possible. Nitrous oxide can also serve as an N atom donor.
Recent Literature
A catalytic synthesis of cycloalkanols in the presence of N2O as
an oxygen transfer agent onto sp3-hybridized carbons of simple
precursors offers mild conditions and wide substrate scope. The reaction even
enables to access carbocyclic compounds in an enantioselective manner.
S. Ni, F. Le Vaillant, A. Mateos-Calbet, R. Martin, J. Cornella, J. Am. Chem. Soc.,
2022, 144, 18223-18228.
A redox cyclization of amides and sulfonamides with nitrous oxide enables a direct
and simple synthesis of heterocycles. Various amides and sulfonamides could
undergo directed ortho metalation (DoM) by treatment with BuLi, and the lithium
intermediate can be trapped by N2O gas to achieve redox cyclization.
Z. Lai, C. Wang, J. Li, S. Cui,
Org. Lett., 2020, 22, 2017-2021.
