Recent advances in alkane dehydrogenation catalyzed by pincer complexes

Olefins are ubiquitous intermediates in the production of fuels and commodity chemicals. Accordingly, the development of methods for the selective dehydrogenation of alkanes to give olefins is a goal with great potential value. Molecular (homogeneous) catalysts appear quite promising in this respect. Great advances have been seen with pincer-ligated catalysts since the mid-1990s, particularly (but not exclusively) with iridium complexes. In this chapter we give an overview of this productive area of research, with emphasis on recent progress.