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Functional group translocation: moving functionalities without changing molecular scaffolds
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DOI：10.1039/D6CS00145A.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Functional group position plays a decisive role in molecular properties and function; with even subtle positional changes leading to pronounced differences in biological activity; material performance; and reactivity. Access to positional isomers is therefore central to drug discovery and materials chemistry; yet their synthesis has traditionally required independent and often inefficient synthetic routes. Recent advances have given rise to functional group translocation reactions; which enable the direct relocation of functional groups within a molecular framework without altering the underlying scaffold. In this review; we use the term functional group translocation in a narrow sense to describe transformations in which only the bonding position of a functional group changes while the molecular framework and functional group identity remain intact. Such processes offer a concise molecular editing strategy that enables direct access to positional isomers from a common precursor. Enabled by developments in transition metal catalysis and photoredox chemistry; functional group translocation has rapidly progressed beyond classical stoichiometric and substrate-specific processes. This review defines functional group translocation; distinguishes it from traditional rearrangement reactions and broader isomerization processes; and summarizes recent advances across aromatic and aliphatic systems. By organizing the field according to molecular scaffold; functional group identity; and migration distance; this review highlights current capabilities; remaining challenges; and future opportunities in synthesis; drug discovery; and materials chemistry.