α-Substituted vinyl azides: an emerging functionalized alkene

Vinyl azides are highly versatile synthons that provide access to numerous N-heterocycles and other functional groups. alpha-Substituted vinyl azides (azido vinylidenes) are a special class that display unique reactivity, able to react not only as azides, but also as radical acceptors, enamine-type nucleophiles, and even electrophiles, thus delivering a wide range of nitrogen-containing compounds and their derivatives. An impressive variety of intermediates - such as iminodiazonium ions, nitrilium ions, iminyl radicals, and metal enaminyl radicals - can be generated from vinyl azides and exploited in cycloadditions, C-H functionalizations, hydrolysis processes, and cascade reactions under transition metal/photoredox catalysis. In addition to presenting synthetic protocols to access vinyl azides, this Review offers a comprehensive coverage of the development of their multifaceted reactivity, and highlights their potential as versatile precursors for synthetic applications.