Transition Metal-Catalyzed Selective Carbon–Carbon Bond Cleavage of Vinylcyclopropanes in Cycloaddition Reactions

In this review, transition metal-catalyzed methodologies and applications that exploit C–C bond cleavage of vinylcyclopropanes (VCPs) are summarized with a focus on cycloaddition and related addition reactions. Transition metals, including palladium, nickel, iron, ruthenium, rhodium, cobalt, and iridium, can catalyze the cleavage of C–C bonds in activated or nonactivated VCPs. Additionally, these bond-breaking reactions can occur as intra- or intermolecular processes. The properties of activated and nonactivated VCPs are discussed in the Introduction. Various transition metal-catalyzed cycloaddition and addition reactions involving the cleavage of C–C bonds in activated VCPs are then discussed in the next chapter. The transition metal-catalyzed cycloadditions involving the cleavage of C–C in nonactivated VCPs are summarized in the following chapter. Finally, challenges and potential opportunities are outlined in the last chapter.