Coordinational activation of methane and other alkanes by metal complexes

Abstract

A highly significant challenge for chemistry is the search of the selective catalytic processes for the direct methane transformation into valuable products. The review discusses activation of inert alkane molecule by coordination to a metal atom via three-center two-electron bond involving donor-acceptor and dative interactions. This coordination weakens the C—H bond and opens up new possibilities for homolytic and heterolytic methane reactions.