title: N-heterocyclic carbenes: organocatalysts displaying diverse modes of action.
abstract: Within the context of Lewis base catalysis N-heterocyclic carbenes represent an extremely versatile class of organocatalyst that allows for a great variety of different transformations. Starting from the early investigations on benzoin, and later Stetter reactions, the mechanistic diversity of N-heterocyclic carbenes, depending on their properties, has led to the development of several unprecedented catalytic reactions. This article will provide an overview of the versatile reactivity of N-heterocyclic carbenes.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Organische Chemie, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. kirsten.zeitler@chemie.uni-regensburg.de
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zeitler
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D002625:Chemistry, Organic / Q000379:methods*; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D008024:Ligands; D008697:Methane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D013237:Stereoisomerism
chemical_list: D006838:Hydrocarbons; D008024:Ligands; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C030011:carbene; D008697:Methane