What are Some Key Reactions Involving Carbene Transfer?
Carbene transfer reactions encompass a variety of transformations:
- Cyclopropanation: This reaction involves the formation of cyclopropane rings by transferring a carbene moiety to an alkene. It is widely used in the synthesis of natural products and pharmaceuticals. - Aziridination: This process forms aziridine rings by transferring a carbene to an amine. Aziridines are important intermediates in the synthesis of biologically active compounds. - C-H Insertion: Carbene transfer can lead to the insertion of a carbene moiety into C-H bonds, enabling the functionalization of hydrocarbons. - Ylide Formation: Carbene transfer can generate ylides, which are important intermediates in the Wittig reaction for forming alkenes.
