After the appearance of the green chemistry concept, which was introduced in the chemistry vocabulary in the early 1990s, its main statements have been continuously developed and modified. Currently, there are 10–12 cornerstones that should form the basis for an ideal chemical process. This review analyzes the accumulated experience and achievements towards the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. The review presents the views of leading Russian scientists specializing in various fields of this subject, including homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, fine and basic organic synthesis, electrochemistry, polymer chemistry, chemistry based on bio-renewable feedstocks and chemistry of energetic compounds and materials. A new approach to the quantitative evaluation of the environmental friendliness of processes developed by Russian authors is described. The bibliography includes 1761.

This review highlights the advances in the direct C(sp²)–H functionalization of cyclic aldimines, aldohydrazones, and aldonitrones since 2008.

The C(sp²)–H bond functionalization methodology was first applied to carry out the palladium-catalyzed oxidative C–H/C–H coupling reactions of 2H-imidazole 1-oxides with pyrroles and thiophenes. As a result, a number of novel 5-heteroarylated 2H-imidazole 1-oxides, which are of particular interest in the design of bioactive molecules and advanced materials, have been synthesized in yields up to 78%. The detailed H/D-exchange experiments have also been performed to elucidate some mechanistic features of this cross-dehydrogenative coupling process.

An original approach to achieve the C(sp²)–H azolation of cyclic aldonitrones mediated by Selectfluor® has first been employed. By exploiting a metal-free, visible-light-promoted cross-dehydrogenative C–N coupling reaction between model aldonitrones, 2H-imidazole 1-oxides, and NH-containing azoles, a series of novel azaheterocyclic derivatives have been obtained in yields up to 94%. The elaborated protocol has proved to be appropriate for gram-scale processes and displayed potential for utilization in the synthesis of novel structural analogues of lanabecestat. Besides, mechanistic studies have revealed that this coupling reaction is likely to proceed via a nitroxide-involving radical pathway, encompassing a chain of electron transfer events, such as hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and single electron transfer (SET).

This is the first systematic review of the most relevant approaches to direct C(sp²)–H bond functionalization of azomethine derivatives. The scope of the applicability of various transformations is analyzed. The review assesses prospects of the application of this functionalization strategy in the multistep synthesis of valuable compounds for use in medicinal chemistry, materials science and related areas. The bibliography includes 124 references.