Cleavage reactions of the metal-carbon bond

The metal-carbon bond is frequently cleaved by halogens or the hydrogen halides. In both cases the metal halides are formed, e.g. 

In a few cases, alkyl halides cause cleavage m-(Et3p)2Pt(CH2Ph)2 + 2PhCH2l  

It follows that where organohalides are used in the preparation of organo metal complexes, an excess may cause low yields. There are a few examples where alkyl halides add to transition metal complexes (see pp. 251, 264). 

---