Homo- and heterometallic polynuclear transition metal catalysts for alkane CH bonds oxidative functionalization: Recent advances

Polynuclear homo- and heterometallic complexes of transition metals constitute a broad class of coordination compounds with recognized applications in catalysis, and polymetallic active sites in enzymes inspire their significance as bio-mimicking catalysts. The current interest of synthetic chemistry in the mild functionalization of alkanes demands a rapid progress in the field of metal-catalysed alkane oxidation. This review covers the synthesis of homo- and heterometallic polynuclear complexes of 3d metals with N,O-donor ligands and their application in homogeneous catalytic alkane hydroxylation and hydrocarboxylation, mainly during the last six years. The synthetic approaches used for the preparation of the polynuclear compounds and their structural features are discussed, as well as their use as catalysts in that field, effects of oxidants and promoters, and main reaction mechanisms.