The pincer platform beyond classical coordination patterns

Abstract

The pincer platform provides increased stability and often a rigid coordination mode in transition metal complexes that allows for the incorporation of reactive functional groups in the coordination sphere of a metal. Classical coordination patterns in pincer-type complexes were established over the past decades, involving a preferred set of binding sites. In the current review, we discuss pincer-type ligands with remarkable bonding situations and reactivity patterns, which are beyond the privileged ligand systems frequently used in homogeneous catalysis and bond activation reactions. This includes ligands with ligating atoms based on metalloid elements, π-systems as well as different kinds of metallo-ligands. We categorize the discussed pincer-type ligands herein according to the covalent bond classification and distinguish between metallo-ligands and ligands, which are based on nonmetal and metalloid elements.