Pnictogen and Chalcogen Salts as Alkylating Agents

Alkylation reactions and their products are considered crucial in various contexts. Synthetically, the alkylation of a nucleophile is usually promoted using hazardous alkyl halides. Here, we aim to highlight the potential of pnictogen (ammonium or phosphonium) and chalcogen salts (sulfonium, selenonium, and telluronium) to function as alkylating agents. These compounds can be considered as non‐volatile electrophilic alkyl reservoirs. We will center our discussion on the strategies developed in recent years to expand the synthetic utility of these salts in terms of transferable alkyl groups, substrate scope, and product selectivity. Pnictogen (ammonium or phosphonium) and chalcogen salts (sulfonium, selenonium, and telluronium) can be considered non‐volatile electrophilic alkyl reservoirs. These salts can efficiently promote the alkylation of C‐, N‐, and ‐O‐centered nucleophiles, replacing traditional and toxic alkylating agents.