PDF icon Download PDF
Synlett
DOI: 10.1055/a-2669-6134
Account

N-Heterocyclic Carbenes as Game-Changing Ligands: Advances in Catalysis, Photocatalysis, and Medicinal Applications

Thomas Scattolin
1   Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padua, Italy (Ringgold ID: RIN9308)
,
Vladislav A. Voloshkin
2   Department of Chemistry and Center for Sustainable Chemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (Ringgold ID: RIN26656)
,
Leandros P. Zorba
2   Department of Chemistry and Center for Sustainable Chemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (Ringgold ID: RIN26656)
,
Steven P. Nolan
3   Department of Chemistry and Center for Sustainable Chemistry, Universiteit Gent, Gent, Belgium (Ringgold ID: RIN26656)
› Author Affiliations
Supported by: Ministero della Salute
Supported by: Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek G0A6823N
Supported by: AIRC IG23566
Supported by: Fondazione AIRC per la Ricerca sul Cancro
› Further Information
 PDF Download All articles of this category
Preview

Over the past 25 years, the Nolan group has advanced N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) chemistry, establishing NHCs as versatile, stable ligands in organometallic science. Our research spans organometallic chemistry, homogeneous catalysis, medicinal chemistry, and photocatalysis. Key achievements include developing efficient NHC–metal catalysts for sustainable chemical transformations, designing NHC–metal complexes with potent anticancer activity, and introducing NHC–gold complexes for visible-light photocatalysis. These contributions highlight the broad impact of rational ligand design on catalysis, therapeutic innovation, and green chemistry.



Publication History

Received: 04 June 2025

Accepted after revision: 28 July 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
29 July 2025

© . Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany