Overview of the Chemical Reactivity of Phosphonyl Carbanions Toward Some Carbon-Nitrogen Systems

This review summarizes research results concerning the reactions of phosphonyl carbanions with different carbon-nitrogen systems, amines, amides, imines, oximes, hydrazones, nitriles, diazo compounds, isocyanates, and azides, reported by us and other research group over the last years. It outlines the utility of such reactions in various aspects of heterocyclic chemistry. Some of these reactions have been applied successfully to the synthesis of biologically important compounds. A brief account on the synthesis of Horner reagents was also displayed.