Hydrovinylation and related reactions: New protocols and control elements in search of greater synthetic efficiency and selectivity

New protocols for highly selective and nearly quantitative heterodimerizati on of ethylene or propylene with various functionalized vinylarenes are des cribed. Under these conditions, which are compatible with a wide variety of functional groups, cylization of 1,6-dienes and hydrovinylation of norborn enes can also be accomplished. Also presented are possible strategies for s tereochemical control, including a crucial role for hemilabile ligands in e nantioselective catalysis.