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Synlett 2013; 24(10): 1188-1189
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1339192
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© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Stable Carbenes: From ‘Laboratory Curiosities’ to Catalysis Mainstays

Tomislav Rovis*
a   Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA   Email: rovis@lamar.colostate.edu
,
Steven P. Nolan*
b   EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9ST, UK   Email: snolan@st-andrews.ac.uk
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 25 May 2013

Accepted: 26 May 2013

Publication Date:
05 June 2013 (online)

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Abstract

The past 20 years have witnessed an explosion in research in the area of stable carbenes. From laboratory curiosities, they have emerged as a front-line alternative to phosphines in metal catalysis. The range of reactivity that they enable in organocatalysis, much of it through their capability to render functional groups umpolung, is enviable. Of course, their unique properties enable them to outperform both phosphines and more traditional Lewis bases in specific transformations. This Cluster assembles leaders in the field that provide a brief introduction to the unique chemistry afforded by these species.

Key words

N-heterocyclic carbenes - organocatalysis - ligands on metal - asymmetric transformation
 

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