Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling with Carbene Precursors

The transition-metal-catalyzed carbene cross-coupling reactions have evolved as a dynamic area in organic synthesis, leading to the development of some powerful tools for chemical structure construction. Mechanistically, this type of coupling reactions is initiated by classic cross-coupling steps, followed by metal–carbene formation and migratory insertion. Diazo compounds, N -tosylhydrazones, alkynes, cyclopropenes as well as Fischer carbene complexes have been proved as versatile carbene precursors and coupling partners. The organometallic species generated from migratory insertion subsequently undergo various transformations, thus further expanding the scope of the carbene coupling reaction. Futhermore, a variety of transition metal catalysts are found effective for these coupling reactions. This chapter is aimed to introduce the main developments of carbene-based cross-coupling reactions, which are categorized based on different carbene precursors as well as transition metal catalysts.