In chemistry, a template reaction is any of a class of ligand-based reactions that occur between two or more adjacent coordination sites on a metal center. In the absence of the metal ion, the same organic reactants produce different products. The term is mainly used in coordination chemistry. The template effects emphasizes the pre-organization provided by the coordination sphere, although the coordination modifies the electronic properties (acidity, electrophilicity, etc.) of ligands.[1]
An early example is the dialkylation of a nickel dithiolate:[2]
The phosphorus analogue of an aza crown can be prepared by a template reaction.[6] Where it is not possible to isolate the phosphine itself.
^Cotton, Frank Albert; Wilkinson, Geoffrey; Murillo, Carlos A.; Bochman, Manfred (1999). Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (6 ed.). p. 348. ISBN9780471199571.
^Thompson, Major C.; Busch, Daryle H. (1964). "Reactions of Coordinated Ligands. VI. Metal Ion Control in the Synthesis of Planar Nickel(II) Complexes of α-Diketo-bis-mercaptoimines". J. Am. Chem. Soc.86 (2): 213–217. doi:10.1021/ja01056a021.
^Otilia Costisor, W. Linert "Metal mediated template synthesis of ligands" World Scientific Publisher, Singapore, 2004. ISBN981-238-813-3
^Fleischer; E. B.; Klem, E. (1965). "The Structure of a Self-Condensation Product ofo-Aminobenzaldehyde in the Presence of Nickel Ions". Inorganic Chemistry. 4 (5): 637–642. doi:10.1021/ic50027a008.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)