Catalytic applications of zwitterionic transition metal compounds

This frontiers article highlights recent developments on the application of transition metal-based zwitterionic complexes in catalysis. Recent applications of selected zwitterionic catalysts in polymerization reactions, including the carbonylative polymerization of cyclic ethers, carbon-carbon coupling reactions, the asymmetric hydrogenation of unfunctionalized olefins, and the hydrofunctionalization of alkenes are reviewed. In addition, advances in the field of hydrogenation/dehydrogenation reactions related to energy applications, including the hydrogenation of CO2 and the dehydrogenation of formic acid and N-heterocycles, the functionalization of CO2 with amines and hydrosilanes, and the valorization of polyfunctional bio-based feedstocks, such as the dehygrogenation of glycerol to lactic acid or the reduction of levulinic acid into gamma-valerolactone, are also described.