Versatility of Dialkyl Azodicarboxylates in Organic Transformations

Dialkyl azodicarbixylates, characterized by the presence of an azo group (─N═N─) and two carboxyl groups, are an important class of organic compounds that have found wide application in organic synthesis, especially in Mitsunobu reaction. Their unique chemical properties make them irreplaceable tools for creating diverse molecular structures. This review provides an overview of key reactions involving dialkyl azodicarboxylates, highlighting their wide range of applications as reagents and catalysts. We also tried to demonstrate the immense potential of dialkyl azodicarboxylates in various types of reactions, including cross-coupling, redox processes, cycloaddition, cyclizations, and functionalization of aromatic systems. The versatility of dialkyl azodicarboxylates makes them a valuable tool for building complex molecular structures and expanding the possibilities of synthetic chemistry. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.