Early transition metal complexes containing aminopyridinato ligands - coordination chemistry, organometallic chemistry and catalysis

Early transition metal complexes containing aminopyridinato ligands have been reported only rarely. Such ligands combine a number of virtues which make them unique in the early transition metal chemistry. Besides the great variety of substitution patterns enabling us to fine tune electronic and steric features, they impress us with the flexibility in the binding mode covering the whole range from a pure amido metal bond up to a delocalized N-amido-C-ipso-N-pyridine-M four members ring. Coordination chemistry, organometallic chemistry and some selected applications in homogeneous catalysis including olefin polymerization are reviewed.