Recent Advances in Coordination Chemistry: Design, Synthesis, and Applications of Metal Complexes in Catalysis

Abstract

Coordination chemistry has undergone significant expansion in recent years, driven by innovations in ligand architecture, synthetic methodologies, and advanced characterization techniques. The design of metal complexes with tailored geometry, electronic properties, and functional groups has enabled enhanced performance in both catalytic and medicinal applications. In catalysis, transition metal complexes have demonstrated remarkable activity and selectivity in processes such as cross-coupling, olefin polymerization, oxidation, and CO₂ conversion, often under mild and sustainable conditions. Advances in bioinorganic chemistry have facilitated the development of metal-based drugs, particularly for anticancer, antimicrobial, and diagnostic purposes, by exploiting the unique reactivity, redox behavior, and targeting capabilities of metal centers. State-of-the-art computational tools and spectroscopic methods have deepened the understanding of structure–function relationships, enabling rational design strategies. This review consolidates recent developments in coordination chemistry, emphasizing the interplay between ligand design, synthesis, mechanistic insights, and practical applications. The integration of green chemistry principles and nanostructured frameworks is also discussed as a pathway toward environmentally friendly and multifunctional coordination complexes.

Keywords: Coordination chemistry, metal complexes, ligand design, catalysis, bioinorganic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, green chemistry, nanostructured frameworks.