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.