Organometallic photochemistry intermediates

IR spectroscopy is a powerful spectroscopic technique for examining the structure and behavior of intermediates involved in organometallic photochemistry. Examples are given of the combination of IR spectroscopy with matrix isolation, with liquid noble gases as solvents, and with flash generation, for probing novel transients and intermediates. 

These examples show that IR spectroscopy continues to be a powerful technique for the characterisation of unstable intermediates important in organometallic photochemistry. 

Several reviews have appeared describing the application of spectroscopic techniques to the study of photochemical reaction intermediates. Omberg etalP and Ford " have described the use of time-resolved IR while several authors have described frozen matrix techniques and applications. Tyler has reviewed the basic principles of organometallic photochemistry for chemical educators. ... 

Leadbeater NE (1995) The generation and reactivity of versatile ruthenium carbonyl organometallic intermediates by cluster photochemistry. J Chem Soc Dalton Trans 2923-2934... 

In the last twelve years, special attention has been devoted to photochemistry of the dinuclear organometallic complexes, since different structures undergo light excitation leading to ligand replacements, disproportionation, or to different redox reactions. Detailed data on the nature of the primary photo reaction and on the reaction intermediates are known and have been published for various metal n complexes, including complexes of the [Cp2M2(CO)4] type (M = Fe or Ru). 

---