Insights on the CH Bond activation by Transition Metal Complexes from Groups 8–10 Bearing (P-N) Chelates

CH bond catalytic activation/functionalization has been matter of great interest, since these transformations could establish new grounds from the synthetic perspective, and could serve to propose alternative and greener methods for the production of organic molecules. In this sense, the development of efficient catalytic systems for CH bond activation becomes of great importance, and understanding the principles that govern such transformations, either stoichiometric or catalytic, is essential. To study such processes from the mechanistic or catalytic point of view requires of the design of ligands and catalysts able of performing CH bond activation. (P,N)-chelates have arisen as alternative ligands to develop new catalytic systems, due to their combination of different donor atoms, and the ability to tune their steric and electronic characteristics and to create potential vacant sites at the metal center due to hemilability.

This mini review summarizes the advances from 2005 to 2015 in the field of CH bond activation at transition metal centers from groups 8–10 bearing (P,N)-chelating ligands. Even when the examples of inter- or intramolecular CH bond activation using transition metal complexes with the (P,N) ligands described herein do not engage yet in catalytic applications, their understanding becomes of great importance and sets the basis for future developments in this field.