Combinatorial transition-metal catalysis: mixing monodentate ligands to control enantio-, diastereo-, and regioselectivity.

This review focuses on a new approach to combinatorial homogeneous transition-metal catalysis which goes beyond the traditional parallel preparation of modular ligands. It is based on the use of mixtures of monodentate ligands L(a) and L(b), which upon exposure to a transition metal (M) form not only the two homocombinations [ML(a)L(a)] and [ML(b)L(b)], but also the heterocombination [ML(a)L(b)]. If the latter is more reactive and selective than the homocombinations, an improved catalyst system is formed without the need to synthesize new ligands. Thus, the control of enantio,- diastereo-, and regioselectivity is possible.