New amination strategies based on nitrogen-centered radical chemistry

The interesting and diverse biological activities of nitrogen-containing compounds make the construction of the C-N bond of great importance. Despite the tremendous advances that have been made in this research field, C-N bond formation based on nitrogen-centered radicals remains a significant challenge due to the harsh conditions required for the generation of nitrogen-centered radicals and their propensity for hydrogen abstraction or engaging in other degradation pathways. In the past several years, novel methodologies for C-N bond constructions based on nitrogen centered-radical intermediates, coordinated with metal or generated in the presence of visible-light and a photocatalyst, have attracted considerable attention. This tutorial review will summarize the significant progress of these efficient and mild radical amination reactions, with an emphasis on approaches for the generation of nitrogen-centered radicals and their reaction patterns, related mechanisms and synthetic applications, as well as unmet challenges in this emerging and promising field.