Lanthanide- and Group 3 Metallocene Catalysis in Small Molecule Synthesis

Abstract

Although the polymerization prowess of organolanthanide complexes has been known for some time, efforts to apply these catalysts to small molecule synthesis have only recently begun. The selectivity of these metallocenes is predominantly steric in nature, and they are compatible with a wide variety of organic functional groups. A review of their use in olefin hydrogenation, hydrosilylation, and polyene cyclization with emphasis on chemoselectivity and diastereoselectivity is presented here. The various ways in which the catalysts and rea-gents can be tuned to produce the desired products is also discussed.