Introduction to Organometallic Chemistry

Although they were not the first to discover the compound, Fischer and Wilkinson were among the first to describe the nature of this rather unusual type of metal-carbon bonding. For the next several decades, just as Werner before them, their pioneering research led to the birth of an entire new field of chemistry that of modern organometallic chemistry. Upon the acceptance of his share of the 1973 Nobel Prize, Fischer s words were no less poignant than those of Wilkinson May we as chemists make harmonious music in the future for the joy and benefit of mankind. .. and not for its detriment.  

In its simplest definition, organometallic chemistry is defined as the chemistry of compounds that contain at least one metal-carbon bond (other than cyanide). The 

Ferrocene. [The chapter opener figure was kindly provided by D. Schaarschmidt, Technische Universitat, Chemnitz.] 

Principles of Inorganic Chemistry, First Edition. Brian W. Pfennig. 

The structure of Zeise s salt, the original organometallic compound. 

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A12. G. E. Coates, M. L. H. Green, and K. Wade, Organometallic Compounds, 3rd ed. Methuen, London. Vol. 1, The Main Group Elements (1967) vol. 2, The Transition Elements (1968). Currently the best general introduction to organometallic chemistry, though necessarily a little dated. Originally published in 1956, written by G. E. Coates, with a second edition in 1960. 

M. Bochmann (1994) Organometallics 1 Complexes with Transition Metal-Carbon a-Bonds, Oxford University Press, Oxford - This and the companion book (see below) give a concise introduction to organometallic chemistry. 

Parkins, A.W. and Poller, R.C. (1986) An Introduction to Organometallic Chemistry, Macmillan, London. 

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