Catalysis continued history

Cyanation of carbonyl compounds has one of the richest histories of any transformation in the field of asymmetric catalysis, and intensive research efforts have continued unabated since the editorial deadline for the first edition of Comprehensive Asymmetric Catalysis in 1998. This chapter will summarize all efforts in this area from 1998 to date, highlighting the most important catalytic systems from a synthetic and/or mechanistic standpoint. Significant advances in both the cyanation of aldehydes (formation of secondary cyanohydrins Section 28.2.1) and the cyanation of ketones (formation of tertiary cyanohydrins Section 28.2.2) will be addressed [1,2]. 

Copper has a long history in chemistry. Nevertheless, Al-heterocycUc carbene (NHC)-copper systems have been known and used only these last 20 years since Arduengo et al. reported the first NHC-copper system in 1993 [1]. Since then, the NHC-copper chemistry has undergone continuous expansion with the synthesis of new complexes (well-defined systems, hydrides, hydroxides, and cationic species) and the development of various applications (catalysis, transme-talation reagents, antitumor reagents, etc.). NHC-copper systems have become an example of a best-seller in organometallic chemistry. 

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