Carbonylation reactions represent one of the most important tool box for the synthesis of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds which are key building blocks in organic chemistry. This paper summarizes the most important advances in this field.

A direct perfluoroalkylation of (hetero)arenes using the air- and moisture-stable complex (dppf)Ni(o-tol)Cl was developed (23 examples). The novel procedure allows for the synthesis of various fluorinated products and tolerates sensitive functional groups including aldehydes, free amino groups and several heterocycles.

Mild and selective nickel-catalyzed trifluoromethylation and perfluoroalkylation reactions of alkenes were developed to provide fluorinated olefins, including natural products, pharmaceuticals, and variety of synthetic building blocks in good to excellent yields (38 examples). Control experiments, kinetic measurements and in situ EPR studies reveal the importance of radical species and the formation of 1,2-adducts as intermediates.

A convenient methodology for perfluoroalkylation including trifluoromethylation of (hetero)arenes with perfluoroalkyl bromides was developed. Key for the success is the use of a specific cobalt-based nanocatalyst, which can be recycled at least up to 4 times. The scope of this first cobalt-catalyzed perfluoroalkylation is presented and detailed catalyst characterization (e.g. analytical STEM, XPS, and XRD) has been carried out.

A general and highly chemoselective Pd-catalyzed protocol for the synthesis of α,β-unsaturated ketones by carbonylation of vinyl triflates and nonaflates is presented. Applying the specific monophosphine ligand cataCXium® A, the synthesis of various vinyl ketones as well as carbonylated natural product derivatives proceeds in good yields.