Introduction and Classification

Definition

Organometallic compounds are compounds wherein the metal is bonded through carbon to an organic molecule, radical or ion.

 

Historical Perspective

  1. Zeise’s Salt Na[PtCl3C2H4]

  1. Frankland, Zn(Et)2, first metal alkyl

  1. Grignard, organomagnesium halides

  1. Pope and Peachey, PtMe3I, first transition metal s-alkyl

1917.  Schenk, lithium alkyls

  1. Heiber, Fe(CO)4H2 first transition metal hydride

1951.  Pauson and Miller, ferrocene

  1. Fisher, bis arene metal complex

1973.  Fisher, Cr(CO)4(CR), first carbyne complex

1983.  Bergman, Graham, C-H bond activation

  1. Green, Brookhart, agostic metal-hydrogen interaction