Physical Methods in Organometallic Chemistry

We now look at some of the main methods of identifying a new complex, assigning its stereochemistry, and learning something about its properties. We will look at some applications of the most commonly used spectroscopic and crystallographic methods to organometallic chemistry. Citations to both introductoiy and more advanced treatments of the methods themselves are also included. 

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Ultrafine powders are usually considered to be particles with diameters between 1 -100 run [141]. A focus for recent work in material chemistry has been the preparation of such particles [142] because of their special properties optical, photocatalytic, electrochemical, magnetic, thermal resistance, high melting point and sintering abilities [143,144]. A variety of chemical and physical methods have been used for the synthesis of such materials including the decomposition of organometallics [145] and the controlled reduction of salts [146-148]. 

Because the element is so rare, highly radioactive, and extremely expensive, classical chemical methods cannot be utilized in the study of its organometallic chemistry. Hence, one does not find any published information on the synthesis, physical properties, or spectroscopic characteristics of organopolonium compounds. It would be reasonable to make the assumption that the organic chemistry of polonium should parallel that of tellurium, the element just above it... 

This method can be used to prepare commercially the best of all known tertiary phosphines, triphenylphosphine (PPh3). Its combination of favorable physical properties (air-stable solid, easy to handle) and solubility in organic media has resulted in extensive uses as a ligand in coordination or organometallic chemistry or as a reagent in organic synthesis. 

Duer, M. J. Solid State NMR. In Solid State Organometallic Chemistry Methods and Applicatiems-, Gielen, M., Willem, R, Wrackmeyer, B., Eds. Wiley Chichester, 1999 Physical Organometallic Chemistry Vol. 2, Chapter 6, pp 227—277. 

A central focus of recent work in material chemistry has been the preparation of ultrafine particles, for which a variety of chemical and physical methods has been applied metal evaporation, decomposition of organometallics, controlled reduction of salts. 5 gonochemical decomposition of organometallic... 

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