Pick your Pd partners: A number of catalytic systems have been developed for palladium-catalyzed CH activation/CC bond formation. Recent studies concerning the palladium(II)-catalyzed coupling of CH bonds with organometallic reagents through a PdII/Pd0 catalytic cycle are discussed (see scheme), and the versatility and practicality of this new mode of catalysis are presented. Unaddressed questions and the potential for development in the field are also addressed.

In the past decade, palladium-catalyzed CH activation/CC bond-forming reactions have emerged as promising new catalytic transformations; however, development in this field is still at an early stage compared to the state of the art in cross-coupling reactions using aryl and alkyl halides. This Review begins with a brief introduction of four extensively investigated modes of catalysis for forming CC bonds from CH bonds: PdII/Pd0, PdII/PdIV, Pd0/PdII/PdIV, and Pd0/PdII catalysis. A more detailed discussion is then directed towards the recent development of palladium(II)-catalyzed coupling of CH bonds with organometallic reagents through a PdII/Pd0 catalytic cycle. Despite the progress made to date, improving the versatility and practicality of this new reaction remains a tremendous challenge.

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Palladium(II)-catalyzed C-H activation/C-C cross-coupling reactions: versatility and practicality.

N-Heterocyclic Carbenes in Late Transition Metal Catalysis

In studying the evolution of organic chemistry and grasping its essence, one comes quickly to the conclusion that no other type of reaction plays as large a role in shaping this domain of science than carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. The Grignard, Diels-Alder, and Wittig reactions are but three prominent examples of such processes, and are among those which have undeniably exercised decisive roles in the last century in the emergence of chemical synthesis as we know it today. In the last quarter of the 20th century, a new family of carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions based on transition-metal catalysts evolved as powerful tools in synthesis. Among them, the palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions are the most prominent. In this Review, highlights of a number of selected syntheses are discussed. The examples chosen demonstrate the enormous power of these processes in the art of total synthesis and underscore their future potential in chemical synthesis.

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions in total synthesis.

6.4. Polyynes 3123 6.5. Using R-Hydroxy Stannanes 3124 6.6. Using the Hurtley Reaction 3124 6.7. Using a Methylenation Reaction 3125 7. Conclusions and Future Prospects 3125 8. Uncommon Abbreviations 3125 9. Acknowledgments 3125 10. Note Added in Proof 3125 11. References 3126 * Authorstowhomcorrespondenceshouldbeaddressed(evano@chimie.uvsq.fr, nicolas.blanchard@uha.fr). † Université de Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines. ‡ Université de Haute-Alsace. Chem. Rev. 2008, 108, 3054–3131 3054

Copper-mediated coupling reactions and their applications in natural products and designed biomolecules synthesis.

The design and implementation of cascade reactions is a challenging facet of organic chemistry, yet one that can impart striking novelty, elegance, and efficiency to synthetic strategies. The application of cascade reactions to natural products synthesis represents a particularly demanding task, but the results can be both stunning and instructive. This Review highlights selected examples of cascade reactions in total synthesis, with particular emphasis on recent applications therein. The examples discussed herein illustrate the power of these processes in the construction of complex molecules and underscore their future potential in chemical synthesis.

Cascade reactions in total synthesis.

Eighteen years ago in Angewandte Chemie John K. Stille reviewed a novel methodology, which eventually became known by his name, for the coupling of organostannanes with organic electrophiles. Since then that seed has blossomed into a multifaceted methodology full of hidden possibilities to explore, discover, and enjoy. Very recent modifications are making synthetic wishes come true that were only dreamed of a few years ago. Moreover, as important advances are being made in the understanding of the mechanistic details of the process, it is becoming increasingly possible to apply this essential reaction and its new variants in a less empirical way. The purpose of this Review is to give a critical account of this progress.

The Mechanisms of the Stille Reaction

Transition metal liquid crystals: advanced materials within the reach of the coordination chemist

Phosphine-pyridyl and related ligands in synthesis and catalysis

The first now-named Stille reaction was published 38 years ago, and the last comprehensive revision of this catalysis was in 2004. Since then, the knowledge of the different steps of the three possible (and sometimes competing) reaction pathways (cyclic, open, and ionic) has been almost completed by synergistic experimental and theoretical studies: the Stille reaction is perhaps the best characterized catalytic process if we consider the number of intermediates that have been detected. This review concentrates on the mechanistic new knowledge and on important aspects such as the revolution with the use of bulky phosphines, the bimetallic alternative of the Stille reaction, the enantioselectivity in Stille and palladium-free Stille processes, the meaning of copper effect, or the possible approaches to make Stille coupling a greener process.

Pablo Espinet

Papers

The Mechanisms of the Stille Reaction

Transition metal liquid crystals: advanced materials within the reach of the coordination chemist

Phosphine-pyridyl and related ligands in synthesis and catalysis

The Stille Reaction, 38 Years Later

Unlikeliness of Pd-Free Gold(I)-Catalyzed Sonogashira Coupling Reactions