Organic synthesis cerium ammonium nitrate

Cerium is a member of the lanthanides in the Periodic Table and adopts tetra- and tripositive states in its electronic configuration. Among cerium reagents, ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) is most widely used in organic synthesis. It is well known to convert phenol derivatives to quinones in high yields under mild conditions. An excellent review on cerium(IV) oxidation of organic compounds is available, and only a few examples will be described herein. 

Among the various cerium(IV) complexes, cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) is the most important oxidant in organic synthesis, since it is sufficiently stable in different solvents and is commercially available. Besides its propensity of introducing and removing protecting groups via single-electron transfer or Lewis acid catalysis... 

In summary, oxidative radical reactions by other metals are less common than single-electron transfer to cerium(IV), iron(III), copper(II), and especially manganese(III) complexes. However, even for manganese(III) acetate and cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate the synthetic potential is not completely utilized. During the next few years, many new applications should arise, which will focus on stereoselective reactions and the synthesis of complex organic molecules. 

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