Redox-Active Ligands in Catalysis

A review.  Nature's use of redox-active moieties combined with 3d transition-metal ions is a powerful strategy to promote multi-electron catalytic reactions.  The ability of these moieties to store redox equiv. aids metalloenzymes in promoting multi-electron reactions, avoiding high-energy intermediates.  In a biomimetic spirit, chemists have recently developed approaches relying on redox-active moieties in the vicinity of metal centers to catalyze challenging transformations.  This approach enables chemists to impart noble-metal character to less toxic, and cost effective 3d transitional metals, such as Fe or Cu, in multi-electron catalytic reactions.