Contribution of heterobifunctional ligands to transition metal-catalysed C--C coupling reactions

In this account the authors' latest results in C--C coupling catalysis are reviewed. First, an efficient catalytic system for the Kumada--Tamao--Corriu coupling reaction based on NHC-phosphine (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) nickel complexes is presented. Then the use of palladium complexes of chiral ferrocenyl NHC-phosphines in the asymmetric Suzuki--Miyaura coupling reaction is reported. High catalytic activities and moderate enantioselectivities (ee up to 46{\%}) were obtained. Chiral ferrocenyl phosphine--ethers were also tested in the asymmetric Suzuki--Miyaura reaction yielding good activities and moderate enantioselectivities (ee up to 37{\%}). Finally, the original synthesis of a ferrocenyl rhodium(III) complex and its successful use as catalyst for a C--C coupling reaction via C--H activation of 2-phenylpyridine is presented.