Zirconium, elemental organometallic compounds

This chapter reviews the literature up to approximately January 1984. Previous comprehensive reviews of the chemistry of zirconium and hafnium are available, and annual surveys of the inorganic and coordination chemistry of these elements have been published since 1981 The present treatment emphasizes the chemistry of discrete, isolable complexes, although some attention has been given to the extremely complex aqueous solution chemistry of Zr and Hf. In general, zirconium forms slightly more stable complexes in solution than does hafnium stability constants may be found in standard compilations.In cases where the structural chemistry of discrete complexes is closely related to that of chain, layer or extended three-dimensional structures, the discussion of the discrete complexes has been set in the broader context the section on fluorometallate complexes is a case in point. Organometallic compounds of zirconium and hafnium have been excluded almost entirely. 

The most commonly used transition metal compounds are those of titanium, vanadium, chromium, and zirconium. The transition metal-carbon bond is formed by the action of an organometallic compound of the main group elements, leading to the formation of the complex which has catalytic properties. 

Substances that catch fire spontaneously in air without an ignition source are called pyrophoric. These include several elements— white phosphorus, the alkali metals (group lA), and powdered forms of magnesium, calcium, cobalt, manganese, iron, zirconium, and aluminum. Also included are some organometallic compounds, such as ethyllithium (LiC2H5) and phenyllithium (LiQHj), and some metal carbonyl compounds such as iron pentacarbonyl, Fe(CO)5. Another major class of pyrophoric compounds consists of metal and metalloid hydrides, including lithium hydride, LiH ... 

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