Application of Stimuli Responsive and ‘Non-innocent’ Ligands in Base Metal Catalysis

The unique properties of stimuli-responsive and “non-innocent” ligands aid the scientist to gain better control over the reactivity of base metal complexes during catalysis, making them viable alternatives to transformations previously reserved only to noble metal catalysts. Moreover, the field is evolving fast and is creating new and unique opportunities to steer and control the reactivity of base metal catalysts, extending the researcher's chemical toolbox. This chapter provides a tutorial overview of the catalytic reactivity of non-noble metal complexes using stimuli-responsive and “non-innocent” ligands, discussed on the basis of recent examples. The chapter has four subsections covering stimuli-responsive ligands, redox-active ligands as electron reservoirs, cooperative ligands, and substrate radicals in catalysis.