Recent topics on catalytic transformations of aromatic molecules via η6-arene transition metal complexes

The pi-complexation of an arene to a transition metal center delivers many useful reactivities to the arene moiety. Although synthetic methodologies that take advantage of such pi-coordination have mostly been developed as stoichiometric processes, there have been considerable recent advances in the catalytic transformations of aromatic molecules through their activation in the form of transition metal eta(6)-arene complexes. These advances include the pi-coordination catalyzed transformations of aryl-heteroatom and side-chain C-H and C=C bonds and the palladium-catalyzed C-H functionalization in pre-formed transition metal eta(6)-arene complexes. This digest paper aims to provide a concise view of these recent advances in the area of transition metal eta(6)-arene complexes. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.