Cationic organometallic complexes of group 12 metals: A decade of progress toward the quest of novel Lewis acidic catalysts

The synthesis, structure and use in catalysis of group 12 metals (Zn, Cd, Hg) organocations reported since 2010 are comprehensively reviewed herein. Thanks to appropriate ligand design and straightforward synthetic methodologies, various classes of Zn-II cationic complexes are now available as robust, tunable and possibly potent Lewis acids with potential catalytic activity due to their electrophilic nature. Recently developed Zn-II organocations have notably been used as catalysts for the mediation of catalytic processes of current importance, including the hydro-elementation and C-H functionalization of various unsatu-rated small molecules. In contrast, despite a continuous interest on the structural aspects of Hg-II organocations, research contributions describing applications of Cd-II and Hg-II organocations are currently limited due to the toxicity of both metals. (C) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This review comprehensively summarizes the synthesis, structure, and catalytic applications of group 12 metal (Zn, Cd, Hg) organocations reported since 2010. With appropriate ligand design and straightforward synthetic methodologies, various classes of stable and tunable Zn-II cationic complexes have been developed as potentially potent Lewis acids with catalytic activity. These recently developed Zn-II organocations have been extensively used as catalysts for important catalytic processes such as hydro-elementation and C-H functionalization of unsaturated small molecules. However, research contributions on Cd-II and Hg-II organocations are currently limited due to their toxicity.