Metal vinylidenes and allenylidenes in catalysis: applications in anti-Markovnikov additions to terminal alkynes and alkene metathesis.

The involvement of a catalytic metal vinylidene species was proposed for the first time in 1986 to explain the regioselective formation of vinyl carbamates directly from terminal alkynes, carbon dioxide, and amines. Since this initial report, various metal vinylidenes and allenylidenes, which are key activation intermediates, have proved extremely useful for many alkyne transformations. They have contributed to the rational design of new catalytic reactions. This 20th anniversary is a suitable occasion to present the advancement of organometallic vinylidenes and allenylidenes in catalysis.