N-Heterocyclic Carbenes: From Laboratory Curiosities to Efficient Synthetic Tools (Catalysis Series, Volume 27)

In less than 20 years N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have become well-established ancillary ligands for the preparation of transition metal-based catalysts. This is mainly due to the fact that NHCs tend to bind strongly to metal centres, avoiding the need of excess ligand in catalytic reactions. Also, NHC‒metal complexes are often insensitive to air and moisture, and have proven remarkably resistant to oxidation. This book showcases the wide variety of applications of NHCs in different chemistry fields beyond being simple phosphine mimics. This second edition has been updated throughout, and now includes a new chapter on NHC‒main group element complexes. It covers the synthesis of NHC ligands and their corresponding metal complexes, as well as their bonding and stereoelectronic properties and applications in catalysis. This is complemented by related topics such as organocatalysis and biologically active complexes. Written for organic and inorganic chemists, this book is ideal for postgraduates, researchers and industrialists. Content: Introduction to N-Heterocyclic Carbenes: Synthesis and Stereoelectronic Parameters Synthesis, Activation and Decomposition of N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Containing Complexes Non-Classical N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes Computational Studies on the Reactivity of Transition Metal Complexes Featuring N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands Main Group Complexes with N-Heterocyclic Carbenes: Bonding, Stabilisation and Applications in Catalysis Rare Earth Metal Complexes with N-Heterocyclic Carbenes NHC-Iron, Ruthenium and Osmium Complexes in Catalysis NHC-Cobalt, Rhodium and Iridium Complexes in Catalysis NHC-Palladium Complexes in Catalysis NHC-Nickel and Platinum Complexes in Catalysis NHC-Copper, Silver and Gold Complexes in Catalysis Oxidation Reactions with NHC-Metal Complexes Reduction Reactions with NHC-bearing Complexes N-Heterocyclic Carbenes as Organic Catalysts Biologically Active N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Metal Complexes. Updated throughout, and with a new chapter on NHC-main group element complexes, this second edition is ideal for researchers and industrialists in organic and inorganic chemistry.