Pincer complex immobilization onto different supports: Strategies and applications

• Key methods for covalent and non-covalent immobilization are categorized. • Different supports afford unique properties to immobilized pincer catalysts. • Catalytic activities of immobilized pincer complexes are described and compared. • The immobilization of catalysts facilitate their isolation and recovery. The unique properties of pincer complexes, such as high activity, robustness, and balance between their stability and reactivity, have led to wide applications in homogeneous catalysis. The immobilization of pincer catalysts onto different supports (organic and inorganic) is the most straightforward pathway to recycle them. Such an approach has led to the development of numerous strategies for their immobilization onto various candidate supports. The present paper reviews the critical covalent and non-covalent procedures used for pincer complexes immobilization, which are categorized based on their supports. It also describes their catalytic activities in various organic substrate transformations. It shows that the immobilized catalysts not only facilitate the easy separation but also demonstrate desirable selectivity and activity.