The deconfining phase transition for SU(N) theories in 2+1 dimensions
  The critical temperatures for the 2+1 dimensional $SU(N_c)$ gauge theories are calculated, for $N_c = 4,5,6$. The transition is shown to be first order for $N_c \geq 5$. The critical temperature and latent heat are extrapolated to $N_c = \infty$. 
Jack Liddle and Mike Teper