Catalytic Markovnikov and anti-Markovnikov functionalization of alkenes and alkynes: recent developments and trends

The regioselective functionalization of terminal alkenes and alkynes is of utmost importance for the synthesis of a wide variety of organic products. Based on the original observation by Vladimir Markovnikov-the pioneer of this field of research-in the 19th century, the possible regioisomeric products are classified as Markovnikov or anti-Markovnikov products. Contrary to traditional belief, it is nowadays possible to control the regiochemistry of various additions of nucleophiles to alkenes and alkynes by applying different transition-metal catalysts. Recent developments in this area of selective functionalization of alkenes and alkynes are reviewed.     

VLADIMIR PRELOG

Vladimir Prelog, one of the truly influential organic chemists of the past century, died in Zurich after a short illness on 7 January 1998. For his contributions to stereochemistry, he shared the 1975 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with J.W. Cornforth. In his 1991 autobiographical sketch (53) 1 Prelog told what he wanted to tell about himself and his work. The present memoir borrows heavily on this, but we have also drawn on our own perceptions gathered over many years of companionship and communion.

1 Numbers in this form refer to the bibliography at the end of the text.