Strategies for arene dissociation from transition metal η6-arene complexes

Transition metal η6-arene complexes have unique properties that facilitate a variety of arene substitution reactions, rendering π-activation a powerful approach for arene functionalization. For decades, these complexes have been studied in the context of coordination chemistry and synthetic methodology via stoichiometric reactivity; one central challenge in expanding the utility of arene functionalization via transition-metal-π-activation is the dissociation of the arene product that remains bound to the transition metal. In this perspective, we highlight representative strategies and methods for the removal and/or exchange of arenes from such complexes. Recent studies that implement these strategies toward catalytic processes are discussed, along with remaining challenges in this area. © 2024 The Royal Society of Chemistry.