Denitrative Functionalization of Nitroarenes

Cross-coupling reactions employing transition metals as catalysts have become an important approach for the construction of C-C and C-heteroatom bonds. Traditionally, aryl halides have been used as one of the coupling partners in these kinds of reactions. However, these compounds are generally environmental pollutants and many of them are expensive. Thus, looking for safe and cheap alternatives for these compounds is of high interest from both laboratory and industry point of view. In recent years, nitroarenes have been reported to be active substrates in the cross-coupling reactions activated by some transition metals such as copper, palladium, or rhodium. Herein, the recent advances in cross-coupling reactions starting from nitroarenes has been reviewed.