New Directions for Frustrated Lewis Pair Chemistry

The concerted action of a Lewis acid and base can activate H-2 and other small molecules. Such frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) have garnered much attention and prompted many investigations into the activation of small molecules and catalysis. Although the nature, mechanism of action, and range of FLP systems continues to expand, this concept has also inspired ever-widening chemistry. Applications in hydrogenation and polymerization catalysis, as well as in synthetic chemistry, have provided selective processes and metal-free protocols. Heterogeneous FLP catalysts are emerging, and polymeric FLPs offer avenues to unique materials and strategies for sensing and carbon capture. The prospects for further impact of this remarkably simple reaction paradigm are considered.