The synthesis, structure and use in catalysis of group 12 metals (Zn, Cd, Hg) organocations reported since 2010 are comprehensively reviewed herein. Thanks to appropriate ligand design and straightforward synthetic methodologies, various classes of Zn^II cationic complexes are now available as robust, tunable and possibly potent Lewis acids with potential catalytic activity due to their electrophilic nature. Recently developed Zn^II organocations have notably been used as catalysts for the mediation of catalytic processes of current importance, including the hydro-elementation and C–H functionalization of various unsaturated small molecules. In contrast, despite a continuous interest on the structural aspects of Hg^II organocations, research contributions describing applications of Cd^II and Hg^II organocations are currently limited due to the toxicity of both metals.

本文对 2010 年以来报道的第 12 族金属（Zn、Cd、Hg）有机阳离子的合成、结构和在催化中的应用进行了全面综述。由于适当的配体设计和直接的合成方法，各种类型的 Zn ^II阳离子配合物现在可作为稳健、可调且可能有效的路易斯酸，由于其亲电性质而具有潜在的催化活性。最近开发的 Zn ^II有机阳离子已显着用作催化剂，用于介导当前重要的催化过程，包括各种不饱和小分子的氢元素化和 C-H 官能化。相比之下，尽管人们对 Hg ^{II的结构方面一直很感兴趣}有机阳离子，描述 Cd ^II和 Hg ^II有机阳离子应用的研究贡献目前由于两种金属的毒性而受到限制。