Synthesis and use of bisoxazolinyl-phenyl pincers

The bisoxazolinyl-phenyl (Phebox) ligand is an example of an N,C,N tridentate (pincer type) ligand, which has a central carbon-metal covalent bond and two oxazolines. In this tutorial review, synthetic methods to prepare bisoxazolinyl-phenyl derivatives and their transition-metal complexes including rhodium, iridium, platinum, palladium, nickel and copper, are summarized. In addition, several applications to homogeneous and asymmetric catalysis with chiral bisoxazolinyl-phenyl metal complexes have been reviewed.