Transition metal center effect on the mechanism of homogenous hydrogenation and dehydrogenation

Abstract

Catalytic hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions have important scientific significance and broad application prospects in energy storage, fine chemicals, and pharmaceuticals synthesis. Homogeneous transition metal complexes are widely applied in this filed due to the advantages of high activity, high selectivity, and clear structure-activity relationships. In this mini-review, mainly based on our, as well as others’ recent theoretical results, we summarize the understanding of transition metal center effects of oxidation state, electronic structure, group, and row difference, etc., on the mechanisms of the catalytic hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions. This mini-review may provide some useful suggestions and prospects for the future design of cheap, efficient, and practical homogeneous catalysts for hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions.