The
functionalization of coordinated dinitrogen to form nitrogen–element
bonds en route to nitrogen-containing molecules is a long-standing
challenge in chemical synthesis. The strong triple bond and the nonpolarity
of the N2 molecule pose thermodynamic and kinetic challenges
for promoting reactivity. While heterogeneous, homogeneous, and biological
catalysts are all known for catalytic nitrogen fixation to ammonia,
the catalytic synthesis of more complicated nitrogen-containing organic
molecules has far less precedent. The example of silyl radical additions
to coordinated nitrogen to form silylamines stands as the lone example
of a catalytic reaction involving N2 to form a product
other than ammonia. This Review surveys the field of molecular transition
metal complexes as well as recent boron examples for the formation
of nitrogen–element bonds. Emphasis is placed on the coordination
and activation modes of N2 in the various metal compounds
from across the transition series and how these structures can rationally
inform reactivity studies. Over the past few decades, the field has
evolved from the addition of carbon electrophiles in a manner similar
to that of protonation reactions to more organometallic-inspired reactivity,
including insertions, 1,2-additions, and cycloadditions. Various N–C,
N–Si, and N–B bond-forming reactions have been discovered,
highlighting that the challenge for catalytic chemistry is not in
the reactivity of coordinated dinitrogen but rather removal of the
functionalized ligand from the coordination sphere of the metal.