Transition metal alkyl complexes are coordination complexes that contain a bond between a transition metal and an alkyl ligand. Such complexes are not only pervasive but are of practical and theoretical interest. [1] [2]
Transition metal alkyl complexes are coordination complexes that contain a bond between a transition metal and an alkyl ligand. Such complexes are not only pervasive but are of practical and theoretical interest. [1] [2]
Most metal alkyl complexes contain other, non-alkyl ligands. Great interest, mainly theoretical, has focused on the homoleptic complexes. Indeed, the first reported example of a complex containing a metal-sp3 carbon bond was the homoleptic complex diethylzinc. Other examples include hexamethyltungsten, tetramethyltitanium, and tetranorbornylcobalt. [3]
Mixed ligand, or heteroleptic, complexes containing alkyls are numerous. In nature, vitamin B12 and its many derivatives contain reactive Co-alkyl bonds.
| example | comment |
|---|---|
| Ti(CH3)4 | only observed as monoetherate, d0 [5] |
| [Ti(CH3)5]− | trigonal bipyramidal, d0 [5] |
| [Ti2(CH3)9]− | one bridging methyl ligand, d0,d0 [5] |
| [Zr(CH3)6]− | trigonal prismatic, d0 [6] [5] |
| [Hf(CH3)6]− | trigonal prismatic, d0 [6] |
| [Nb(CH3)6]− | d0 [3] [6] |
| [Ta(CH3)6]− | d0 [3] |
| Mo(CH3)5 | d1 [7] |
| W(CH3)6 | trigonal prismatic, d0 [3] |
| [Mn(CH3)4]2- | d5 [8] |
| [Mn(CH3)6]2- | d3 [9] |
| [Re(CH3)6] | d1 [3] |
| [Fe(CH3)4]− | low-spin, d5, square planar [10] |
| [Co(CH3)4]− | square planar, d6 [11] |
| [Rh(CH3)6]3- | d6 [12] |
| [Ir(CH3)6]3- | d6 [12] |
| [Ni(CH3)4]2- | d8 [13] |
| [Pt(CH3)4]2- [12] | d8 [14] |
| [Au(CH3)2]− | d10 [15] |
| [Au(CH3)4]− | d8 [15] |
| Zn(CH3)2 | d10 |
| Cd(CH3)2 | d10 |
| Hg(CH3)2 | d10 |
Metal alkyl complexes are prepared generally by two pathways, use of alkyl nucleophiles and use of alkyl electrophiles. Nucleophilic sources of alkyl ligands include Grignard reagents and organolithium compounds. Since many strong nucleophiles are also potent reductants, mildly nucleophilic alkylating agents are sometimes employed to avoid redox reactions. Organozinc compounds and organoaluminium compounds are such milder reagents.
Electrophilic alkylation commonly starts with low valence metal complexes. Typical electrophilic reagents are alkyl halides. Illustrative is the preparation of the methyl derivative of cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl anion: [16]
Many metal alkyls are prepared by oxidative addition: [2]
An example is the reaction of a Vaska's complex with methyl iodide.
Some metal alkyls feature agostic interactions between a C-H bond on the alkyl group and the metal. Such interactions are especially common for complexes of early transition metals in their highest oxidation states. [18]
One determinant of the kinetic stability of metal-alkyl complexes is the presence of hydrogen at the position beta to the metal. If such hydrogens are present and if the metal center is coordinatively unsaturated, then the complex can undergo beta-hydride elimination to form a metal-alkene complex:
These conversions are assumed to proceed via the intermediacy of agostic interactions.
Many homogeneous catalysts operate via the intermediacy of metal alkyls. These reactions include hydrogenation, hydroformylation, alkene isomerization, and olefin polymerization. It is assumed that the corresponding heterogeneous reactions also involve metal-alkyl bonds. [19]
Oxidative addition and reductive elimination are two important and related classes of reactions in organometallic chemistry. Oxidative addition is a process that increases both the oxidation state and coordination number of a metal centre. Oxidative addition is often a step in catalytic cycles, in conjunction with its reverse reaction, reductive elimination.
Anions that interact weakly with cations are termed non-coordinating anions, although a more accurate term is weakly coordinating anion. Non-coordinating anions are useful in studying the reactivity of electrophilic cations. They are commonly found as counterions for cationic metal complexes with an unsaturated coordination sphere. These special anions are essential components of homogeneous alkene polymerisation catalysts, where the active catalyst is a coordinatively unsaturated, cationic transition metal complex. For example, they are employed as counterions for the 14 valence electron cations [(C5H5)2ZrR]+ (R = methyl or a growing polyethylene chain). Complexes derived from non-coordinating anions have been used to catalyze hydrogenation, hydrosilylation, oligomerization, and the living polymerization of alkenes. The popularization of non-coordinating anions has contributed to increased understanding of agostic complexes wherein hydrocarbons and hydrogen serve as ligands. Non-coordinating anions are important components of many superacids, which result from the combination of Brønsted acids and Lewis acids.
A transition metal carbene complex is an organometallic compound featuring a divalent organic ligand. The divalent organic ligand coordinated to the metal center is called a carbene. Carbene complexes for almost all transition metals have been reported. Many methods for synthesizing them and reactions utilizing them have been reported. The term carbene ligand is a formalism since many are not derived from carbenes and almost none exhibit the reactivity characteristic of carbenes. Described often as M=CR2, they represent a class of organic ligands intermediate between alkyls (−CR3) and carbynes (≡CR). They feature in some catalytic reactions, especially alkene metathesis, and are of value in the preparation of some fine chemicals.
Metal carbonyls are coordination complexes of transition metals with carbon monoxide ligands. Metal carbonyls are useful in organic synthesis and as catalysts or catalyst precursors in homogeneous catalysis, such as hydroformylation and Reppe chemistry. In the Mond process, nickel tetracarbonyl is used to produce pure nickel. In organometallic chemistry, metal carbonyls serve as precursors for the preparation of other organometallic complexes.
Methyllithium is the simplest organolithium reagent, with the empirical formula CH3Li. This s-block organometallic compound adopts an oligomeric structure both in solution and in the solid state. This highly reactive compound, invariably used in solution with an ether as the solvent, is a reagent in organic synthesis as well as organometallic chemistry. Operations involving methyllithium require anhydrous conditions, because the compound is highly reactive toward water. Oxygen and carbon dioxide are also incompatible with MeLi. Methyllithium is usually not prepared, but purchased as a solution in various ethers.
Organoactinide chemistry is the science exploring the properties, structure, and reactivity of organoactinide compounds, which are organometallic compounds containing a carbon to actinide chemical bond.
Organotitanium chemistry is the science of organotitanium compounds describing their physical properties, synthesis, and reactions. Organotitanium compounds in organometallic chemistry contain carbon-titanium chemical bonds. They are reagents in organic chemistry and are involved in major industrial processes.
In organometallic chemistry, agostic interaction refers to the interaction of a coordinatively-unsaturated transition metal with a C−H bond, when the two electrons involved in the C−H bond enter the empty d-orbital of the transition metal, resulting in a three-center two-electron bond. Many catalytic transformations, e.g. oxidative addition and reductive elimination, are proposed to proceed via intermediates featuring agostic interactions. Agostic interactions are observed throughout organometallic chemistry in alkyl, alkylidene, and polyenyl ligands.
Decacarbonyldihydridotriosmium is an organoosmium compound with the formula H2Os3(CO)10. This purple-violet crystalline air-stable cluster is noteworthy because it is electron-deficient and hence adds a variety of substrates.
Hexamethyltungsten is the chemical compound W(CH3)6 also written WMe6. Classified as a transition metal alkyl complex, hexamethyltungsten is an air-sensitive, red, crystalline solid at room temperature; however, it is extremely volatile and sublimes at −30 °C. Owing to its six methyl groups it is extremely soluble in petroleum, aromatic hydrocarbons, ethers, carbon disulfide, and carbon tetrachloride.
Group 2 organometallic chemistry refers to the chemistry of compounds containing carbon bonded to any group 2 element. By far the most common group 2 organometallic compounds are the magnesium-containing Grignard reagents which are widely used in organic chemistry. Other organometallic group 2 compounds are rare and are typically limited to academic interests.
Organoiron chemistry is the chemistry of iron compounds containing a carbon-to-iron chemical bond. Organoiron compounds are relevant in organic synthesis as reagents such as iron pentacarbonyl, diiron nonacarbonyl and disodium tetracarbonylferrate. Although iron is generally less active in many catalytic applications, it is less expensive and "greener" than other metals. Organoiron compounds feature a wide range of ligands that support the Fe-C bond; as with other organometals, these supporting ligands prominently include phosphines, carbon monoxide, and cyclopentadienyl, but hard ligands such as amines are employed as well.
Organorhenium chemistry describes the compounds with Re−C bonds. Because rhenium is a rare element, relatively few applications exist, but the area has been a rich source of concepts and a few useful catalysts.
Organomolybdenum chemistry is the chemistry of chemical compounds with Mo-C bonds. The heavier group 6 elements molybdenum and tungsten form organometallic compounds similar to those in organochromium chemistry but higher oxidation states tend to be more common.
Organotantalum chemistry is the chemistry of chemical compounds containing a carbon-to-tantalum chemical bond. A wide variety of compound have been reported, initially with cyclopentadienyl and CO ligands. Oxidation states vary from Ta(V) to Ta(-I).
Organoniobium chemistry is the chemistry of compounds containing niobium-carbon (Nb-C) bonds. Compared to the other group 5 transition metal organometallics, the chemistry of organoniobium compounds most closely resembles that of organotantalum compounds. Organoniobium compounds of oxidation states +5, +4, +3, +2, +1, 0, -1, and -3 have been prepared, with the +5 oxidation state being the most common.
Pentamethyltantalum is a homoleptic organotantalum compound. It has a propensity to explode when it is melted. Its discovery was part of a sequence that led to Richard R. Schrock's Nobel Prize discovery in olefin metathesis.
Transition metal isocyanide complexes are coordination compounds containing isocyanide ligands. Because isocyanides are relatively basic, but also good pi-acceptors, a wide range of complexes are known. Some isocyanide complexes are used in medical imaging.
A Fischer carbene is a type of transition metal carbene complex, which is an organometallic compound containing a divalent organic ligand. In a Fischer carbene, the carbene ligand is a σ-donor π-acceptor ligand. Because π-backdonation from the metal centre is generally weak, the carbene carbon is electrophilic.
In organometallic chemistry, metal tetranorbornyls are compounds with the formula M(nor)4 (M = a metal in a +4 oxidation state) (1-nor = 4bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-1-yl) and are one of the largest series of tetraalkyl complexes derived from identical ligands. Metal tetranorbornyls display uniform stoichiometry, low-spin configurations, and high stability, which can be attributed to their +4 oxidation state metal center. The stability of metal tetranorbornyls is predominately considered to be derived from the unfavorable β-hydride elimination. Computational calculations have determined that London dispersion effects significantly contribute to the stability of metal tetranorbornyls. Specifically, Fe(nor)4 has a stabilization of 45.9 kcal/mol−1. Notable metal tetranorbornyls are those synthesized with metal centers of cobalt, manganese, or iron.