Edited by leading experts and pioneers in the field, this is the first up-to-date book on this hot topic. The authors provide synthetic chemists with different methods to activate carbon-carbon sigma bonds in organic molecules promoted by transition metal complexes. They explain the basic principles and strategies for carbon-carbon bond cleavage and highlight recently developed synthetic protocols based on this methodology. In so doing, they cover cleavage of C-C bonds in strained molecules, reactions involving elimination of carbon dioxide and ketones, reactions via retroallylation, and cleavage of C-C bonds of ketones and nitriles. The result is an excellent information source for researchers in academia and industry working in the field of synthetic organic chemistry, while equally serving as supplementary reading for advanced courses in organometallic chemistry and catalysis.

In the last few years a large repetoire of methods for the activation of unreactive organic functionalities and for their use in organic synthesis has been developed. In this volume, areas ranging from the activation of C-H bonds to the chemical transformation of dinitrogen are authoritatively discussed by leading experts in the field. To activate means to be able to cleave otherwise inert chemical bonds. The cleavage and formation of chemical bonds is fundamental to organic synthesis; these new activation methodologies make hitherto infeasible reactions extremely easy and create new opportunities for innovative organic transformations, for both industry and academia. This is the first book that provides a thorough and timely coverage of both inorganic and organic synthetic aspects of bond activation, thus giving a broad overview of the field and allowing both inorganic and organic chemists ready access to the methodologies involved.

The series Topics in Current Chemistry presents critical reviews of the present and future trends in modern chemical research. The scope of coverage is all areas of chemical science including the interfaces with related disciplines such as biology, medicine and materials science. The goal of each thematic volume is to give the non-specialist reader, whether in academia or industry, a comprehensive insight into an area where new research is emerging which is of interest to a larger scientific audience. Each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years are presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. The coverage is not intended to be an exhaustive summary of the field or include large quantities of data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the methodological thinking that will allow the non-specialist reader to understand the information presented. Contributions also offer an outlook on potential future developments in the field. Review articles for the individual volumes are invited by the volume editors. Readership: research chemists at universities or in industry, graduate students

Over the past decade, much research effort has been devoted to the design and synthesis of new reagents and catalysts that can influence carbon-hydrogen bond activation, mainly because of the prospect that C−H activation could enable the conversion of cheap and abundant alkanes into valuable functionalized organic compounds. Alkane C-H Activation by Single-Site Metal Catalysis presents the current state-of-the-art development in the catalytic systems for the catalytic trans-formations of alkanes under homogeneous conditions. Chapter 1 offers a comprehensive summary of the main discoveries realized so far. Chapter 2 reviews the so-called electrophilic activation, initiated by Shulpín in the late 60s, and the base for the Catalytica system. Chapter 3 examines the catalytic borylation of alkanes, discovered by Hartwig, whereas chapter 4 provides an updated vision of the alkane dehydrogenation reaction. Chapter 5 covers the oxygenation of C-H bonds, a field of enormous interest with bioinorganic im-plications, and finally chapter 6 presents the functionalization of alkane C-H bonds by carbene or nitrene insertion. The history of C-H bond activation, and the current research described in this book, highlight the current research and present the reader with an outlook of this field which continues to be explored by an increasingly visionary and enthusiastic group of organic, organometallic, biological and physical chemists.

State-of-the-science methods, synthetic routes, and strategies to construct aromatic rings The development of new reactions for the synthesis of aromatic compounds is a highly active research area in organic synthesis, providing new functional organic materials, functional reagents, and biologically active compounds. Recently, significant advances in transition-metal-mediated reactions have enabled the efficient and practical construction of new aromatic rings with useful properties and applications. This book draws together and reviews all the latest discoveries and methods in transition-metal-mediated reactions, offering readers promising new routes to design and construct complex aromatic compounds. Integrating metal catalysis with aromatic compound synthesis, Transition-Metal-Mediated Aromatic Ring Construction offers a practical guide to the methods, synthetic routes, and strategies for constructing aromatic compounds. The book's five parts examine: [2+2+2], [2+2+1], and related cycloaddition reactions [4+2], [3+2], and related cycloaddition reactions Electrocyclization reactions Coupling and addition reactions Other important transformations, including methathesis reactions and skeletal rearrangement reactions Edited by Ken Tanaka, an internationally recognized expert in the field of transition-metal catalysis, the book features authors who are leading pioneers and researchers in synthetic reactions. Their contributions reflect a thorough review and analysis of the literature as well as their own firsthand laboratory experience developing new aromatic compounds. All chapters end with a summary and outlook, setting forth new avenues of research and forecasting new discoveries. There are also references at the end of each chapter, guiding readers to important original research reports and reviews. In summary, Transition-Metal-Mediated Aromatic Ring Construction offers synthetic chemists a promising new avenue for the development of important new aromatic compounds with a broad range of applications.

A comprehensive and timely overview of this important and hot topic, with special emphasis placed on environmental applications and the potential for solar light harvesting. Following introductory chapters on environmental photocatalysis, water splitting, and applications in synthetic chemistry, further chapters focus on the synthesis and design of photocatalysts, solar energy conversion, and such environmental aspects as the removal of water pollutants, photocatalytic conversion of CO2. Besides metal oxide-based photocatalysts, the authors cover other relevant material classes including carbon-based nanomaterials and novel hybrid materials. Chapters on mechanistic aspects, computational modeling of photocatalysis and Challenges and perspectives of solar reactor design for industrial applications complete this unique survey of the subject. With its in-depth discussions ranging from a comprehensive understanding to the engineering of materials and applied devices, this is an invaluable resource for a range of disciplines.

The Organometallic Chemistry of N-heterocyclic Carbenes describes various aspects of N-heterocyclic Carbenes (NHCs) and their transition metal complexes at an entry level suitable for advanced undergraduate students and above. The book starts with a historical overview on the quest for carbenes and their complexes. Subsequently, unique properties, reactivities and nomenclature of the four classical NHCs derived from imidazoline, imidazole, benzimidazole and 1,2,4-triazole are elaborated. General and historically relevant synthetic aspects for NHCs, their precursors and complexes are then explained. The book continues with coverage on the preparation and characteristics of selected NHC complexes containing the most common metals in this area, i.e. Ni, Pd, Pt, Ag, Cu, Au, Ru, Rh and Ir. The book concludes with an overview and outlook on the development of various non-classical NHCs beyond the four classical types. Topics covered include: Stabilization, dimerization and decomposition of NHCs Stereoelectronic properties of NHCs and their evaluation Diversity of NHCs Isomers of NHC complexes and their identification NMR spectroscopic signatures of NHC complexes normal, abnormal and mesoionic NHCs The Organometallic Chemistry of N-heterocyclic Carbenes is an essential resource for all students and researchers interested in this increasingly important and popular field of research.