The Organometallic Chemistry of the Transition Metals

A masterfully organized exposition of a broad and complex subject, this book incorporates many of the surprisingly numerous advances made in the field since the first edition was published. Beginning with a historical overview of the subject as well as some basic ideas in complex and transition metal chemistry, the text moves on to cover organometallic properties, including: ligand substitution; II-bonded ligands; oxidative addition and reductive elimination; insertion and elimination; and nucleophilic and electrophilic addition and abstraction. Later chapters discuss applications of organometallics such as: catalytic uses of transition metals; activation of small molecules; applications to organic synthesis; and carbenes, metathesis, and polymerization. Also discussed are the role of organometallics in biochemical areas, clusters, metal-metal bonds, and high-oxidation-state complexes. This is an excellent text for senior undergraduate and graduate courses in organometallic chemistry. Particularly useful to professors and students are sets of problems at the end of each chapter. Answers can be found at the back of the book. Chapters are self-contained and cross-referenced so that specialized chapters may be omitted or consulted independently, a useful feature for researchers in allied fields.

Robert H. Crabtree is a professor in the Department of Chemistry at Yale University.