Recent advances in the chemistry of two-carbon nitro-containing synthetic equivalents

To date, nitro-containing compounds form one of the most important classes of organic compounds. The chemistry of these molecules attracts attention primarily due to their use as high-energy reagents and drugs. Also, the introduction of a nitro group is a popular synthetic strategy for constructing new organic molecules. The present review summarizes the latest research findings of compounds bearing a nitro group on a two-carbon moiety such as aminonitroethylenes, α,α-bis(alkylsulfanyl)nitroalkenes and their amino derivatives, α-nitroketones, alkyl nitroacetates and nitroacetonitrile. The literature data are systematized according to the type of chemical reactions such as reactions between nucleophiles and electrophiles, various cyclization reactions, reactions at the C–H bond, etc. The reactivities of the said nitro compounds and the conditions of chemical transformations are compared to assess the prospects of their application.The bibliography includes 314 references.