Transition metal-catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling reactions

Transition metal-catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling reactions have recently emerged as a new and important category of organic transformations that find versatile applications in the construction of carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds. The use of relatively cheap and stable carboxylic acids to replace organometallic reagents enables the decarboxylative cross-coupling reactions to proceed with good selectivities and functional group tolerance. In the present review we summarize the various types of decarboxylative cross-coupling reactions catalyzed by different transition metal complexes. The scope and applications of these reactions are described. The challenges and opportunities in the field are discussed.