Homogeneous catalysis with organometallic complexes of group 2

This chapter provides details of the recent progress in heavier Group 2-catalyzed small molecule transformations mediated by well-defined heteroleptic and homoleptic complexes of the form LMX or MX₂, where L is a monoanionic ligand and X is a reactive σ-bonded substituent and M = Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba. The intra- and intermolecular heterofunctionalization (hydroamination, hydrophosphination, hydrosilylation, hydroboration, hydrogenation, and hydroacetylation) of alkenes, alkynes, dienes, carbodiimides, isocyanates, pyridines, quinolines, and ketones is discussed, along with the dimerization of aldehydes, the trimerization of isocyanates, and the dehydrogenation of amine-boranes and the dehydrogenative coupling of amines with silanes. While studies in this field have focused largely on biocompatible and inexpensive catalysts of calcium and the heavier elements, the field has renewed interest in the chemistry of organomagnesium complexes.