In this dissertation, Marie-Hélène Larraufie develops original radical and pallado-catalyzed methodologies to enable the synthesis of several classes of bioactive nitrogen-containing heterocycles. New radical cascades employing the N-acylcyanamide moiety offer straightforward routes to quinazolinones and guanidines, as well as new insights into the mechanism of homolytic aromatic substitutions. In parallel, Larraufie expands the scope of visible light photoredox catalysis to the ring opening of epoxides and aziridines, thus providing new sustainable alternatives for the generation of radicals. Furthermore, in a collaborative effort with the Catellani group, the author investigates dual palladium/norbornene catalysis. First, she develops a C-amination coupling variant of the Catellani reaction with unprotected amines which provides an expeditious route to phenanthridines. Then, she examines the influence of the chelating effect on Pd(IV) intermediates reactivity with the help of experimental studies and DFT calculations. The work in this thesis has resulted in numerous publications in high impact journals.The clarity and depth of the experimental section will be useful for students and researchers working in this field.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of nucleophilic aromatic substitutions, focusing on the mechanistic and synthetic features that govern these reactions. The first chapter presents a detailed mechanistic analysis of the factors determining the feasibility of SNAr substitutions, providing decisive information to predict regioselectivity of many reactions and to define the conditions for concerted SNAr processes. Reflecting the key role played by these species as intermediates in most SNAr reactions, chapter 2 then discusses the chemistry of anionic sigma-complexes. Chapter 3 describes the concept of superelectrophilicity in SNAr substitutions, as it has recently emerged from the reactivity of strongly electron-deficient aromatic and heteroaromatic structures. The numerous synthetic applications are considered in depth in the chapters 4 and 5 that follow on intermolecular and intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic substitutions. Then, chapter 6 focuses on substitutions proceeding formally through displacement of a hydride ion, a hot topic in the field. The final chapter brings together concise yet comprehensive discussions surrounding SNAr photosubstitutions, radical substitutions, and ANRORC substitutions. Authored by a highly respected chemist who has contributed greatly to the field over the past two decades, this is a valuable information source for all organic chemists working in academia or the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries.