An Overview of the Direct Preparation of Organoaluminum Compounds

Riccardo Piccardi; Laurent Micouin

doi:10.1055/a-2669-5996

Synthesis, Table of Contents

Synthesis 2025; 57(21): 3105-3126
DOI: 10.1055/a-2669-5996

Short Review

Published as part of the Special Topic Dedicated to Prof. Paul Knochel

An Overview of the Direct Preparation of Organoaluminum Compounds

Authors

Riccardo Piccardi

Laboratoire de Chimie et Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
Laurent Micouin

Laboratoire de Chimie et Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France

Abstract

All articles of this category

Dedication

Dedicated to the 70th birthday of Prof. Paul Knochel.

Abstract

Organoaluminum compounds are a unique class of organometallics, valued for their strong Lewis acidity and distinctive reactivity. Since Ziegler’s pioneering work in the mid-20th century, they have become important in catalysis and polymer production, benefiting from aluminum’s abundance, low cost, and low toxicity. However, their use in organic synthesis remains limited due to the complexity of their preparation—typically involving transmetalation steps that often reduce their advantages. Coordinating solvents used in these steps can also suppress the compounds’ Lewis acidity. This review explores alternative, more direct methods of synthesizing organoaluminum compounds and highlights recent progress in this area.

Keywords

Organoaluminum reagents - Carboalumination - Hydroalumination - Metallation - C–H activation - Functional organometallics

Full Text

References

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