Organometallic transformations discovery

Methods for lactone synthesis by transition metal catalysis involving C—O formation developed over the past 50 years have demonstrated much promise. Indeed, lactones have inspired the discovery of new organometallic transformations, design of metal catalysts, and detailed understanding of reaction mechanisms. Issues of waste minimization and stereoselectivity have been addressed. Future developments for chiral lactone synthesis will likely focus on establishing efficient transformations with broad scope and application in complex molecule total synthesis, especially in regards to macrolactonization where entropic costs often plague intramolecular reactivity with undesired intermolecular reactions. 

Organometallic chemistry is interesting in part because it has applications to catalytic processes. Since the discovery of C-H bond activation and the homogeneous hydrogenation of olefins, the importance of organometallic complexes has been undisputed. Many experimental smdies of organometallic catalysis have focused on catalyst and substrate structure, kinetics of transformations, mechanisms, thermochemical properties, turnover, selectivity, etc., and a massive quantity of experimental data has been accumulated. Molecular mechanics can be used to compile and analyze these data in order to direct the design of novel catalytic systems. 

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