Remodelling molecular frameworks via atom-level surgery: recent advances in skeletal editing of (hetero)cycles

Abstract

Skeletal editing is an emerging approach in synthetic chemistry that enables precise atom-level modifications within molecular cores, facilitating complex transformations and minimizing resource-intensive synthesis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the most recent advancements in skeletal editing, with a particular focus on single atom modifications. While skeletal editing can be applied to both cyclic and acyclic compounds, this review centers on carbo- and heterocyclic systems exclusively. By integrating historical context and categorizing key developments, it highlights the major achievements in insertion, deletion, and transmutation, connecting related works and delving into mechanistic insights.