The Rise of Carbon‐based Leaving Groups

Abstract

Inconspicuous yet carbon‐based leaving groups has presented us with novel C−C bond cleaving avenues for organic transformations over the past few years. This initial review of the emerging field aims to highlight the chemistry that allows C−C bond cleavage in unstrained molecules in mild and sometimes metal‐free reaction conditions. A wide variety of carbon‐based leaving groups has been reported that demonstrate its vast utility for the formation of new C−H, C−N, C−C, C−O, and C−S bonds. The review has been divided in three main sections discussing the leaving group aptitude of active methylene compounds, active methyl compounds and electron‐rich arenes. With uncomplicated pre‐requisites for a carbon‐based fragment to act as leaving groups, we expect more such efficient leaving groups will be identified in the near future.