CHAPTER 9. Recent Aluminium Chemistry – From Al(III) Catalysis to Significant Stoichiometric Al(I) Reactivity

The use of aluminium(III) and aluminium(I) species in synthetic organic and organometallic chemistry has been reviewed. Aluminium(III) catalysts have been identified as effective π- and σ-Lewis acids. In addition, a substituent and/or (chiral) ligand at the Al(III) center have been demonstrated to enable cooperative (asymmetric) catalysis, following reaction patterns such as insertion/migration, σ-bond metathesis, and formal C–H bond or C–C bond activation. Aluminium(I) compounds have been shown to display their significant potential as a Lewis base, an ambiphilic reagent, or a reductant. Finally (reversible) oxidative addition and reductive elimination processes in the context of C–H bond and C–C bond cleavage have been summarised.