The use of monosaccharides in metal-catalyzed coupling reactions

The addition of monosaccharides to metal-catalyzed coupling reactions can be beneficial in terms of decreasing the time required, chemical waste products and overall cost of the process. Monosaccharides are used in a number of different ways, including: (a) acting as a ligand for the metal, (b) providing the appropriate reduction potential for a chemical process and (c) acting as a reducing agent for the formation and stabilization of catalytically active metal nanoparticles. Recently, there has been a significant amount of research in this growing field and there is thus the potential for the addition of monosaccharides to coupling reactions to have significant impact on the synthesis of the important small molecules on which we have all come to rely. This Perspectives Article will cover recent developments in the addition of monosaccharides to metal-catalyzed coupling reactions with an emphasis on their utility and limitations in order to facilitate the further development of this exciting area of research.