Catalysis as an important tool of green chemistry

Published data of the last decade demonstrating the significant achievements in the catalytic synthesis of organic compounds are analyzed from the green chemistry standpoint. It is demonstrated that the use of new catalysts (including nano-sized ones) and solvents (water, ionic liquids, fluorinated derivatives), microwave processes, superctitical and two-phase media, and heterogenized metal complex catalytic systems should be distinguished among the most promising approaches to such processes. The main applications of metal complex systems are considered, in particular, hydrogenation, partial oxidation and cross-coupling reactions, in particular, enantioselective reactions.