Transition Metal Catalyzed Insertion Reactions with Donor/Donor Carbenes

Abstract

Abstract Donor/donor carbenes are relatively new in the field of carbene chemistry; although applications in C−H and X−H insertion reactions are few in number, they demonstrate exquisite chemo‐ and stereo‐selectivity. Recent reports have shown that C−H, N−H, B−H, O−H, S−H, Si−H, Ge−H, Sn−H and P−H insertion reactions are feasible with a variety of transition metal catalysts, both inter‐ and intramolecularly. Furthermore, high degrees of diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity have been observed in several cases. Methods typically involve the formation of a diazo‐based carbene precursor, but procedures using diazo‐free metal carbenes have been developed with significant success. This Minireview covers transition‐metal catalyzed insertion reactions with donor/donor and donor carbenes, providing context for future developments in this emerging field.