Recent Advances in Carbon-Nitrogen/Carbon-Oxygen Bond Formation Under Transition-Metal-Free Conditions

Carbon-heteroatom bond formation under transition-metal free conditions provides a powerful synthetic alternative for the efficient synthesis of valuable molecules. In particular, C?N and C?O bonds are two important types of carbon-heteroatom bonds. Thus, continuous efforts have been deployed to develop novel C?N/C?O bond formation methodologies involving various catalysts or promoters under TM-free conditions, which enables the synthesis of various functional molecules comprising C?N/C?O bonds in a facile and sustainable manner. Considering the significance of C?N/C?O bond construction in organic synthesis and materials science, this review aims to comprehensively present selected examples on the construction of C?N (including amination and amidation) and C?O (including etherification and hydroxylation) bonds without transition metals. Besides, the involved promoters/catalysts, substrate scope, potential application and possible reaction mechanisms are also systematically discussed.