Recent progress in the generation and use of nitrogen-centred radicals

Nitrogen-centred radicals hold much promise as useful synthetic intermediates. Even though their popularity is still extremely limited and very far from matching that of carbon radicals, the recent development of various routes allowing their generation under mild conditions and a better appreciation of their reactivity thanks to the increased availability of absolute rate constants should encourage their use. It is hoped that this tutorial review will help increase the awareness of synthetic chemists and help revive the interest in these forgotten species.