While the lanthanides (strictly defined as the 14 elements following lanthanum in the periodic table, but as normally used also include lanthanum itself) have several unique characteristics compared to other elements, their appearance in the history of the development of organometallic chemistry is rather recent. Since the f orbitals are filled gradually from lanthanum ( Xe]4f ) to lutetium ( Xe]4fl4), they are regarded as the f-block elements, which are discriminated from the d-block transition elements. This book was edited as the second volume of "Topics in Organometallic Chemistry," aiming at an overview of recent advances of chemistry and organic synthesis of lanthanides. Since scandium (Sc) and yttrium (Y) (which lie above the lanthanides and have similar characteristics) are also included, this book covers rare earth chemistry. Recently, especially in this decade, the chemistry and organic synthesis of lanthanides have developed rapidly as one of the most exciting areas. An international team of authors has been brought together in order to provide a timely and concise review of current research efforts such as lanthanide catalysis in small molecule organic synthesis especially focused on carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions, chemistry and organic synthesis using low-valent lanthanides such as diiodosamarium, asymmetric catalysis, lant- nide-catalyzed polymer synthesis, and polymer-supported lanthanide catalysts used in organic synthesis. Principles of organolanthanide chemistry are sum- rized in the first chapter. I am sincerely grateful to Drs. R. Anwander, E. C. D- dy, H. Gr6ger, Z. Hou, H. Kagan, G. Molander, J. L. Namy, M. Shibasaki, Y.

This volume discusses the great potential of metal nanoparticle catalysts for complicated molecular synthesis and reviews the current progress of this field. The development of highly active and stable heterogeneous catalysts is a crucial subject in modern science. However, development of heterogeneous catalysts for fine chemical synthesis has lagged far behind those for bulk chemical process. In recent years metal nanoparticle catalysts have been of great interest in this area due to their unique activity, ease of heterogenization, and robustness. Therefore, metal nanoparticle catalysts are an excellent candidate for the above-mentioned active and robust heterogeneous catalysts and this book provides an overview of this area. The present volume summarizes recent progress on nanoparticle catalysis for various organic transformations from simple redox reactions to complex asymmetric C-C bond forming reactions and also presents seminal studies on new technologies. It comprehensively summarizes advances in metal nanoparticle catalysis across several aspects including reaction manners, mechanistic investigations and new synthetic methodologies to encourage the use of metal nanoparticle catalysts for future organic synthesis. This volume will be of interest to students, researchers and professionals focused on the next-generation of fine chemical synthesis.

While the lanthanides (strictly defined as the 14 elements following lanthanum in the periodic table, but as normally used also include lanthanum itself) have several unique characteristics compared to other elements, their appearance in the history of the development of organometallic chemistry is rather recent. Since the f orbitals are filled gradually from lanthanum ( Xe]4f ) to lutetium ( Xe]4fl4), they are regarded as the f-block elements, which are discriminated from the d-block transition elements. This book was edited as the second volume of "Topics in Organometallic Chemistry," aiming at an overview of recent advances of chemistry and organic synthesis of lanthanides. Since scandium (Sc) and yttrium (Y) (which lie above the lanthanides and have similar characteristics) are also included, this book covers rare earth chemistry. Recently, especially in this decade, the chemistry and organic synthesis of lanthanides have developed rapidly as one of the most exciting areas. An international team of authors has been brought together in order to provide a timely and concise review of current research efforts such as lanthanide catalysis in small molecule organic synthesis especially focused on carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions, chemistry and organic synthesis using low-valent lanthanides such as diiodosamarium, asymmetric catalysis, lant- nide-catalyzed polymer synthesis, and polymer-supported lanthanide catalysts used in organic synthesis. Principles of organolanthanide chemistry are sum- rized in the first chapter. I am sincerely grateful to Drs. R. Anwander, E. C. D- dy, H. Gr6ger, Z. Hou, H. Kagan, G. Molander, J. L. Namy, M. Shibasaki, Y.

This volume discusses the great potential of metal nanoparticle catalysts for complicated molecular synthesis and reviews the current progress of this field. The development of highly active and stable heterogeneous catalysts is a crucial subject in modern science. However, development of heterogeneous catalysts for fine chemical synthesis has lagged far behind those for bulk chemical process. In recent years metal nanoparticle catalysts have been of great interest in this area due to their unique activity, ease of heterogenization, and robustness. Therefore, metal nanoparticle catalysts are an excellent candidate for the above-mentioned active and robust heterogeneous catalysts and this book provides an overview of this area. The present volume summarizes recent progress on nanoparticle catalysis for various organic transformations from simple redox reactions to complex asymmetric C-C bond forming reactions and also presents seminal studies on new technologies. It comprehensively summarizes advances in metal nanoparticle catalysis across several aspects including reaction manners, mechanistic investigations and new synthetic methodologies to encourage the use of metal nanoparticle catalysts for future organic synthesis. This volume will be of interest to students, researchers and professionals focused on the next-generation of fine chemical synthesis.