Synthesis and applications of rhodacyclopentanones derived from C-C bond activation.

Rhodacyclopentanones, an "sp(3)-rich" class of metallacycle, underpin an emerging range of catalytic methodologies for the direct generation of complex scaffolds. This review highlights strategies for accessing rhodacyclopentanones (and related species) by C-C bond activation of cyclobutanones or cyclopropanes. The scope and mechanism of methodologies that exploit these activation modes is outlined.