Donor-Functionalised N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes of Group 9 and 10 Metals in Catalysis: Trends and Directions

This review focuses on the latest advances in homogeneous catalysis with donor‐functionalised (donor = C, N, O, S or P) N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes of group 9 and 10 metals. The applications of such complexes to C–C coupling reactions, alkyne and ketone hydrosilylation, olefin polymerisation, transfer hydrogenation, asymmetric hydrogenation and other catalysed reactions are discussed.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008) Donor‐functionalised NHCs can create a wide variety of coordination environments for metals (e.g. hemilabile, chelating, bis(carbene), pincer or chiral). These features generate impressive catalytic activities forthe resulting complexes, especially in the case of group 9 and 10 metals. This Microreview focuses on the latest achievements obtained in homogeneous catalysis with these complexes.