oa Unveiling the Potential of Platinum in Homogeneous Catalysis: A Review of Pt-NHC Chemistry and Pt-Catalysed Hydrosilylation Reactions: Part I

The utility of molecular organoplatinum complexes in catalytic transformations has long driven major industrial advancements, most notably in the hydrosilylation reaction, a process that is critical to the global, multibillion-dollar silicones industry. One of the most important breakthroughs in this field was the introduction of platinum-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) pre-catalysts. Apart from their significance in hydrosilylation processes, these unique complexes have also contributed to developments in other research areas, including cancer therapy and photophysics. This two-part review highlights the evolving role of platinum in homogeneous catalysis, with an emphasis on NHC complexes, providing both historical context and the latest findings. Part I introduces platinum-NHC complexes, covering their synthetic accessibility, properties, and role in homogeneous catalysis, along with other notable applications. Part II discusses the fundamentals and recent developments in the catalytic hydrosilylation of alkenes and alkynes, centred around Pt-NHC pre-catalysts.