Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridinylidenes as π-Accepting NHC Ligands in Catalysis

Abstract

Since the development of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridinylidenes (imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine carbenes: IPCs) by Lassaletta, Alcarazo, and Glorius, these have been applied as ligands in catalysts, albeit that only few productive examples have been reported so far. Nevertheless, some productive IPC catalytic systems have recently been developed by several research groups, including ours. In the present account, our recent advances regarding the use of IPC ligands in catalysis are summarized, with a particular focus on the relationship between their catalytic activity and their electronic and steric features.