Despite challenging, skeletal editing of mono-azaarens (pyridines, quinolines and isoquinolines) has shown peerless synthetic charm in the construction of complex molecules that are difficult to access by conventional methods. In this short review, we summarize three kinds of most recently developed skeletal editing strategies to deconstruct the azaarene cores, with a focus on their generality, limitations and mechanistic aspects. Also, the application of the skeletal editing strategy in the total synthesis of some important natural products is discussed. 1 Introduction 2 Skeletal editing of mono-azaarenes through Zincke-like reaction 3 Skeletal editing of mono-azaarenes through aza-Buchner reaction 4 Skeletal editing of mono-azaarenes via photo-induced radical or energy-transfer process 5 Conclusion