Organoiron Complexes and Their Applications

In order to understand catalytic systems based on iron, the chemistry of organoiron complexes is briefly described and their reactivity is demonstrated. A comprehensive summary of the applications of iron compounds in organic synthesis has been given by Pearson [7]. 

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Interest in organometallic maaomolecules has grown exponentially ever since Arimoto and Haven first polymerized vinylferrocene in 1955 [1]. Organometallic polymers are known to possess unique optical, magnetic, and thermal properties which allow for potential applications as chemical sensors, electrocatalysts, modified electrodes, and photo-active molecular devices [2-7]. Organoiron polymers are one of the most prevalent classes of organometallic polymers, with many reports on their synthesis and properties published over the past 50 years [8-11]. Of the many varieties of organoiron species, ferrocene and cationic cyclopentadienyliron complexes are most commonly incorporated into polymers. 

The interest in transition metals with <7-bound alkynyl ligands continues, since metal acetyiides are potential nonlinear optical, conducting, or liquid crystalline materials. Their chemistry and applications have been reviewed in 2003 and 2004. Another review dealing on organoiron polymers includes also rigid-rod iron acetyiides. " The chemistry of metal complexes with 1,3-diynes and polyynes was surveyed in 2001. " ... 

Until the last decade, the chemistry of iron complexes in organic synthesis has been mostly connected with their stoichiometric application. They may be used to activate otherwise unreactive functions. Moreover, iron complex moieties can be employed as stereocontrolling or protecting groups. Their chemistry has been reviewed several times. The previous edition of this book also contains an overview of the most important examples of organoiron chemistry up to the end of the 1990s. The present chapter will briefly repeat fundamental reactions and support them with more recent examples. Additionally, new developments fi om the last decade are outlined. 

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