Recent Advances and Strategies for the Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed C−H Functionalization of N‐Nitrosoanilines

The challenges faced in the activation and functionalization of C−H bonds while producing high‐value aromatic intermediates are significant for synthetic organic chemistry. This review summarizes the advancements made toward the C−H functionalization of N‐nitrosoanilines in the past decade, in which the nitroso group coordinates to a transition metal, such as rhodium, palladium, cobalt, iridium, and ruthenium, acting as a directing group to allow the activation of the ortho C−H bond. The versatility of this synthetic approach has led to the regio‐ and chemoselective introduction of various functional groups giving rise to aromatic congeners with diverse functional and structural properties. C−H functionalized nitroso compounds can be further transformed into valuable synthetic intermediates and unique heterocyclic compounds. A description of the mechanism underlying each reaction is also included. This review includes the following sections: