Organic azides: Late bloomers

ORGN 245

K. Barry Sharpless, Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037
Azides make only fleeting appearances in organic synthesis, serving as one of the most reliable means to introduce a nitrogen substituent into a carbon backbone, often via an immediate reduction to an amine. However, the reactivity of the azide group is much richer than is generally appreciated. Recent examples from our laboratories will highlight the utility of the azide functionality.