Homogeneous catalysis with transition metal complexes containing sulfur ligands

Transition metal complexes with sulfur ligands are active catalysts in a considerable number of homogeneous reactions, although they have been less investigated than complexes with other donor atoms. We review the application of complexes containing sulfur ligands in hydrogenation, hydrogen transfer, isomerization, hydrosilylation, carbonylation, hydroformylation, polymerization, Heck reaction, allylic alkylation, Grignard cross-coupling, conjugate addition and oxidation with O-2. The use of different types of sulfur ligands and the characteristics of the coordination complexes are described together with the results of the catalytic reactions. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.