Contribution of heterobifunctional ligands to transition metal-catalysed C{Ccoupling reactions

Abstract

In this account the authors' latest results in C{C coupling catalysis are reviewed. First, an efficientcatalytic system for the Kumada{Tamao{Corriu coupling reaction based on NHC-phosphine (NHC = N-heterocycliccarbene) nickel complexes is presented. Then the use of palladium complexes of chiral ferrocenyl NHC-phosphines in theasymmetric Suzuki{Miyaura coupling reaction is reported. High catalytic activities and moderate enantioselectivities(ee up to 46%) were obtained. Chiral ferrocenyl phosphine{ethers were also tested in the asymmetric Suzuki{Miyaurareaction yielding good activities and moderate enantioselectivities (ee up to 37%). Finally, the original synthesis of aferrocenyl rhodium(III) complex and its successful use as catalyst for a C{C coupling reaction via C{H activation of2-phenylpyridine is presented.