Synergistic effects in s- and d-block heterometallic compounds: small molecule activation and catalysis

Heterometallic compounds involving s-block and d-block metals are increasingly seen as a promising class of catalysts with unique reactivity modes. This perspective summarizes recent advances in key chemical transformations enabled by these heterometallic systems. After a brief overview of their structural features and synergistic reactivity, selected applications in small molecule activation and catalysis are discussed. Examples include hydrogenation, C-X bond activation (X = C, H, O, F, I), alkene isomerization and polymerization, as well as co-polymerization of CO₂ and epoxides. Structural and mechanistic studies have revealed various synergistic activation modes that depend on the proximity of the metal atoms - achieved through contact ion pairing or ligand design. Collectively, these examples demonstrate that combining s-block and d-block metals is a promising strategy for tuning catalytic behavior and achieving reactivity that surpasses homometallic systems.