Exploring new experimental space with inversely-polarized phosphaalkenes and dianionic pincer ligands

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Double bonds play a crucial role in synthetic chemistry. Simple olefins, such as ethylene, propylene, acrylates and other related functionalized olefins are important building blocks for the polymer industry. The reactivity of C=C double bonds can also undergo alkene metathesis (and alkyne metathesis for C≡C triple bonds) to create new value-added chemicals and materials used across the industry, from fine chemicals to perfumes, pharmaceuticals and polymers. Similarly, polar double bonds such as C=O and C=N are hydrogenated into high-value molecules, with the possibility to introduce a new chiral centre in the molecule with biological activity. Developing a solid fundamental understanding of catalysis is essential for the industry to have access to better (more stable, more active and more selective) catalysts that can mediate important transformations with a wide range of substrates.