Metal complexes with oxygen-functionalized NHC ligands: synthesis and applications

Area of Science:

• Coordination Chemistry
• Organometallic Chemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Hybrid ligands and N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have shown significant success.
• NHCs offer diverse potential in main group, transition metal chemistry, catalysis, medicinal chemistry, and materials science.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive update on hybrid NHC ligands featuring oxygen-donor functionalities.
• To examine the synthesis, structures, reactivity, and applications of metal complexes with these ligands.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature up to 2015.
• Focus on chelating and bridging hybrid NHC ligands with oxygen donors.
• Tabular presentation of reactions catalyzed by these complexes.

Main Results:

• Detailed examination of various oxygen-donor types within hybrid NHC ligands.
• Exploration of metal complexes' synthesis, structures, and reactivity.
• Comprehensive overview of applications in homogeneous catalysis, including hydrogenation, C-C bond formation, and polymerization.

Conclusions:

• Hybrid NHC ligands with oxygen donors represent a significant area of research.
• These ligands demonstrate broad applicability in diverse catalytic transformations.
• The review facilitates identification of suitable metal-ligand combinations for specific reactions.