(η6-Arene) chromium Complexes in Organic Synthesis

Abstract

(η6-Arene) chromium complexes have some characteristic properties due to the strong electron withdrawing ability and steric bulkiness of tricarbonyl chromium group. Their signficant applications have been developed utilizing following effects ; 1) nucleophilic addition to the arene ring, 2) lithiation of the aromatic hydrogen, 3) stabilization of benzylic carbanion, 4) stabilization of benzylic carbocation, and 5) steric hindrance of Cr(CO)3 group. Also, (arene) chromium complexes can exist in two enantiomeric forms, when the phenyl ring is substituted at ortho- or meta-position by different substituents. This review focuses on our investigations and the related works of (η6-arene) chromium complexes in organic synthesis. © 1993, The Society of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Japan. All rights reserved.