Carbon—hydrogen bonds Fischer-type carbenes

Alkylidene complexes are of two types. The ones in which the metal is in a low oxidation state, like the chromium complex shown in Fig. 2.4, are often referred to as Fischer carbenes. The other type of alkylidene complexes has the metal ion in a high oxidation state. The tantalum complex is one such example. For both the types of alkylidene complexes direct experimental evidence of the presence of double bonds between the metal and the carbon atom comes from X-ray measurements. Alkylidene complexes are also formed by a-hydride elimination. An interaction between the metal and the a-hydrogen atom of the alkyl group that only weakens the C-H bond but does not break it completely is called an agostic interaction (see Fig. 2.5). An important reaction of alkylidene complexes with alkenes is the formation of a metallocycle. 

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