Synthesis, structural characterization of benzimidazole-functionalized Ni(II) and Hg(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and their applications as efficient catalysts for Friedel–Crafts alkylations

Michael Addition of Indoles to Enones Catalyzed by a Cationic Iron Salt

Indoles are one of the most valuable nucleophiles in Michael additions catalyzed by a proper Lewis acid. In this paper, we found that a cationic iron salt is effective to carry out the Michael addition of indoles. β-Mono- and disubstituted enones reacted smoothly with indoles under our conditions. The cationic iron catalyst is very active, and the maximum TON was up to 425. Moreover, cationic iron-catalyzed conditions enabled a chemoselective Michael addition of a substrate possessing both enone and α,β-unsaturated ester moieties.

Cu(i), Ag(i), Ni(ii), Cr(iii) and Ir(i) complexes with tritopic NimineCNHCNamine pincer ligands and catalytic ethylene oligomerization

Potentially pincer-type tritopic N^imineC^NHCN^amine ligands with a variable length of the spacer connecting N^imidazole to the amine donor are evaluated.

Smart N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands in Catalysis

It is well-recognized that N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have provided a new dimension to the design of homogeneous catalysts. Part of the success of this type of ligands resides in the limitless access to a variety of topologies with tuned electronic properties, but also in the ability of a family of NHCs that are able to adapt their properties to the specific requirements of individual catalytic transformations. The term "smart" is used here to refer to switchable, multifunctional, adaptable, or tunable ligands and, in general, to all those ligands that are able to modify their steric or electronic properties to fulfill the requirements of a defined catalytic reaction. The purpose of this review is to comprehensively describe all types of smart NHC ligands by focusing attention on the catalytically relevant ligand-based reactivity.