Main advances in the application of scorpionate-based catalytic systems for the preparation of sustainable polymers.

Scorpionate ligands have emerged as pivotal components in the field of coordination chemistry and catalysis since the seminal work by Trofimenko in the late 1960s. These species have demonstrated an extraordinarily rich tridentate coordination chemistry, enhancing the stability of metal complexes. In addition, they offer the possibility of modifying the chemical and electronical features as κ-ligands, providing a wide variety of potential substrates with multiple donor atoms.

Synthesis of the ABC Core of Alkaloids with a [5-6-7] Azatricyclic Scaffold via Ring Expansion of Azabicyclic and Azatricyclic Building Blocks.

The [5-6-7] azatricyclic ABC core, found in several alkaloids, has been synthesized through a novel route involving ring expansion of a perhydroindolone to afford the AC ring system and a radical B ring closure as key steps. The level of functionalization of the reported octahydro-1,7-ethanocyclohepta[]pyrroles suggests that they can serve as valuable building blocks in this alkaloid field. Also reported is the first synthesis of homomorphans by the ring enlargement of 2-azabicyclo[3.

Very efficient organo-zinc scorpionates for CO fixation into a variety of cyclic carbonates: synthesis, coordination ability and catalytic studies.

The fixation of CO mediated by metal-based catalysts for the production of organic molecules of industrial interest such as cyclic carbonates is urgently required under green and eco-friendly conditions. Herein, we describe the easy preparation of sterically demanding scorpionate ligands bearing different electron-withdrawing groups, and their coordination ability for the preparation of robust zinc-based mononuclear complexes of the type [ZnMe(κ-NNN')] (4-6). These complexes, in combination with co-catalysts comprising larger ionic radius-based halides such as tetra--butylammonium, functioned as very active and selective catalysts for CO fixation into five-membered cyclic carbonates.