Stoichiometric versus catalytic action of organocopper compounds in organic transformations

Department of Chemistry, University of Calcutta, 92, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata-700 009, India

Department of Chemistry, DumDum Motijheel College, West Bengal State University, Kolkata-700 074, India

E-mail: cmukhop@yahoo.co.in, rajivkarmakar84@gmail.com

Manuscript received 03 July 2018, accepted 20 July 2018

Have a great historical importance, but still remain highly useful reactions. If not the first organometallic reactions developed they are among the first. In this review, the reactivity of organocopper as a catalyst in organic synthesis is explained. We are elaborately discussed about the stoichiometric versus catalytic action of organocopper compounds in the organic transformation i.e. the change in mechanistic pathway may be observed when the catalysts are directly involved in the reaction with the reacting substrates. Most often used in conjugate addi­tion reactions and couplings with sp² carbons, but are also quite useful in epoxide openings. Very recently, the propargylic carbonates were also used to converted to indenes through a S_N^2´/Alder-ene cascade triggered by organocopper reagents. S_N² and S_N^2´ reactions, and alkyne addtions. A deep understanding of the catalytic behavior of organocopper complexes could lead to the design and development of novel reactions that could be accessed by some very selective traditional organometal complex. This critical review describes the stoichiometric reactions of organocopper complexes and discusses their potential mechanism in catalytic reactions.