Heteronuclear derivatives

Silicon-transition metal chemistry is a relatively new area. The work of Hein and his associates (1941) on Sn—Co derivatives established the possibility of forming bonds between a Group IVB metal and a transition element 139), but it was another fifteen years before CpFe(CO)2SiMej 203), the first of many silyl derivatives, was synthesized. The interest in these compounds derives from (1) comparison with the corresponding alkyl- and Ge-, Sn-, and Pb- transition metal (M) complexes, including the role of ir-back-bonding from filled d orbitals of M into empty d orbitals on Si (or other Group IVB metal), and (2) expectation of useful catalytic properties from such heteronuclear derivatives. 

Whereas a large number of metal-sulfur clusters are present in nature, carbonyl clusters are exclusively products of chemical synthesis. They have been widely used in industrial catalytic processes17 and some of these processes are triggered by the redox aptitude of these species.lc g As for the metal-sulfur clusters, we will briefly discuss their structures and their propensity to donate/accept electrons in order of increasing nuclearity. We will consider only homonuclear and homoleptic metal-carbonyl derivatives. However, it is noted that heteronuclear derivatives are gaining considerable interest due to the synergistic effect of metal-metal bonds possessing a polar character.lc,ld... 

The dimensional patterns or/and properties change upon formation of these heteronuclear derivatives. For example, the structure of the copper derivative consists of a 3D array with chains of Cu(II)-pyrazine units connected by [Au(CN)2] bridges a second identical network connected through aurophilic interactions interpenetrates. 

Reaction of metallates with neutral metal complexes. The reaction of cluster carbonyl metallates with neutral carbonyl compounds has proved to be very useful in the preparation of homo and heteronuclear derivatives ... 

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