Oxidative Addition - Applications

Applications

Oxidative addition and reductive elimination are invoked in many catalytic processes both in homogeneous catalysis (i.e., in solution) such as the Monsanto process and alkene hydrogenation using Wilkinson's catalyst. It is often suggested that oxidative addition-like reactions are also involved in mechanisms of heterogeneous catalysis, e.g. hydrogenation catalyzed by platinum metal. Metals are however characterised by band structures, so oxidation states are not meaningful. Oxidative addition is also needed in order for nucleophilic addition of an alkyl group to occur.