In one aspect, phosphine compounds comprising three adamantyl moieties (PAd.sub.3) and associated synthetic routes are described herein. Each adamantyl moiety may be the same or different. For example, each adamantyl moiety (Ad) attached to the phosphorus atom can be independently selected from the group consisting of adamantane, diamantane, triamantane and derivatives thereof. Transition metal complexes comprising PAd.sub.3 ligands are also provided for catalytic synthesis including catalytic cross-coupling reactions.

Provided herein, in part, is a new class of sterically bulky, easily prepared N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands of Formula I, or a salt, solvate, geometric isomer, or stereoisomer thereof. The ligands are readily synthetically accessible exploiting the cost-effective, modular alkylation of anilines. The NHC ligands of the present disclosure can be used to prepare effective catalysts with transition metals, including the compound of Formula II, or a salt, solvate, geometric isomer, or stereoisomer thereof. In certain embodiments, the transition metal is Pd.

In one aspect, phosphine compounds comprising three adamantyl moieties (PAd.sub.3) and associated synthetic routes are described herein. Each adamantyl moiety may be the same or different. For example, each adamantyl moiety (Ad) attached to the phosphorus atom can be independently selected from the group consisting of adamantane, diamantane, triamantane and derivatives thereof. Transition metal complexes comprising PAd.sub.3 ligands are also provided for catalytic synthesis including catalytic cross-coupling reactions.

In one aspect, phosphine compounds comprising three adamantyl moieties (PAd.sub.3) and associated synthetic routes are described herein. Each adamantyl moiety may be the same or different. For example, each adamantyl moiety (Ad) attached to the phosphorus atom can be independently selected from the group consisting of adamantane, diamantane, triamantane and derivatives thereof. Transition metal complexes comprising PAd.sub.3 ligands are also provided for catalytic synthesis including catalytic cross-coupling reactions.

Methods for the synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and synthesis platforms for performing such syntheses are provided. Methods and platforms are provided that allow for the synthesis of aza-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by an expedient ring assembly. Methods and platforms allow for a modular approach to synthesis that provide multiple new C—C bonds in sequential pericyclic reactions, thus giving access to compounds with multiple axes of substitution.

In one aspect, phosphine compounds comprising three adamantyl moieties (PAd.sub.3) and associated synthetic routes are described herein. Each adamantyl moiety may be the same or different. For example, each adamantyl moiety (Ad) attached to the phosphorus atom can be independently selected from the group consisting of adamantane, diamantane, triamantane and derivatives thereof. Transition metal complexes comprising PAd.sub.3 ligands are also provided for catalytic synthesis including catalytic cross-coupling reactions.

In one aspect, phosphine compounds comprising three adamantyl moieties (PAd.sub.3) and associated synthetic routes are described herein. Each adamantyl moiety may be the same or different. For example, each adamantyl moiety (Ad) attached to the phosphorus atom can be independently selected from the group consisting of adamantane, diamantane, triamantane and derivatives thereof. Transition metal complexes comprising PAd.sub.3 ligands are also provided for catalytic synthesis including catalytic cross-coupling reactions.

In one aspect, phosphine compounds comprising three adamantyl moieties (PAd.sub.3) and associated synthetic routes are described herein. Each adamantyl moiety may be the same or different. For example, each adamantyl moiety (Ad) attached to the phosphorus atom can be independently selected from the group consisting of adamantane, diamantane, triamantane and derivatives thereof. Transition metal complexes comprising PAd.sub.3 ligands are also provided for catalytic synthesis including catalytic cross-coupling reactions.

The present disclosure provides methods for enantioselective synthesis of cyclic and acyclic -quaternary carboxylic acid derivatives via nickel-catalyzed allylic alkylation.

The present invention provides a complex of formula (1), ##STR00001##
wherein, M is palladium or nickel, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently organic groups having 1-20 carbon atoms, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are linked to form a ring structure with the phosphorus atom, R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted aryl, substituted and unsubstituted heteroaryl, and substituted and unsubstituted metallocenyl, R.sub.4 is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms, n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, and X is an anionic ligand. The invention also provides a process for the preparation of the complex, and its use in carbon-carbon or carbon-nitrogen coupling reactions.