Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Laboratory-Scale Carbon-Carbon Bond-Forming Reactions of Ethylene

Ethylene, the simplest alkene, is the most abundantly synthesized organic molecule by volume. It is readily incorporated into transition-metal-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions through migratory insertions into alkylmetal intermediates. Because of its D-2h symmetry, only one insertion outcome is possible. This limits byproduct formation and greatly simplifies analysis. As described within this Minireview, many carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions incorporate a molecule (or more) of ethylene at ambient pressure and temperature. In many cases, a useful substituted alkene is incorporated into the product.