Pincer‐based catalysts possess an exceptional balance of stability versus reactivity, aspects of fundamental interest in catalyst design. This balance has been well‐controlled by systematic ligand modifications along with the variation of the metal center. Ruthenium pincer complexes (RPCs), exhibit a versatile chemistry, serve as excellent precursors and find potential applications in many organic transformations. A large number of novel and valuable reactions has been developed using both stoichiometric and catalytic amounts of RPCs. Compared to the traditional ruthenium catalysts, pincer complexes often present high efficiency, selectivity and functional group tolerance. This review highlights different methodologies for the synthesis of RPCs and their catalytic applications for different reactions reported in the last decade. Additionally, the factors affecting the catalytic reactivity of the RPCs and the reaction mechanisms are discussed.magnified image
A strategy for the synthesis of iodocarbazoles through a tandem iodocyclization with migration and aromatization is presented. This sequential cascade process is concisely conducted at room temperature and in a short time. Moreover, the obtained halides can be further applied to palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions, which act as the important intermediates for building other valuable compounds.
Highly para-selective palladium-catalyzed direct arylation of phenols with aryl iodides was demonstrated by taking advantage of the formal inverse direct arylation strategy. A series of 4-aryl phenols were synthesised by employing water as a "green" solvent under mild reaction conditions.
Transformation of aromatic nitriles to imidazolines has been achieved under basic conditions with the electron-deficient C60 and C70 fullerenes, but not with the electron-deficient olefin of tetracyanoethylene (TCNE). In situ UV-vis-NIR indicates that the ability of RC60(-) to undergo single-electron transfer (SET) to C60 is crucial for the reaction.
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