Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Triarylmethanes by Transition Metal Catalysis

Triarylmethanes and related compounds are fascinating molecules because of their structural and physical properties, many potential applications in organic functional materials, and high biological activity. Recently, catalysis has provided new synthesis routes to triarylmethanes with high selectivity and diversity, including the possibility of preparing enantiomerically enriched derivatives, which is typically challenging using classical methods. This Perspective reviews recent advances in new synthesis approaches to triarylmethanes using well-defined transition metal catalysts. These methods will allow the development of new, unexplored triarylmethane structures.