Transition Metal Catalysis: Kumada Coupling

This lecture covers the history and development of transition metal catalysis, focusing on the Kumada Coupling reaction. Starting from the early cross-coupling reactions in the 1940s, it progresses to the introduction of palladium as a catalyst in the 1970s and the subsequent advancements in the field. The Kumada Coupling, first reported in 1972, involves the coupling of Grignard reagents with various halides to form C-C bonds efficiently. The lecture also discusses the importance of phosphine ligands and the catalytic cycle proposed by Kumada. Various examples and mechanisms are presented, highlighting the significance of this reaction in the synthesis of unsymmetrical biaryls and other organic compounds.