In 1970 I wrote a review article for "Topics in Current Chemistry", surveying the general reaction patterns of transition-metal complexes from the standpoint of organic synthesis. The article seems to have evoked wide interest, and I therefore thought it appropriate to treat the subject more comprehensively in the form of a monograph. Organometallic chemistry is a rapidly growing field of intensive research. In this field, the application of organometallic compounds to organic synthesis is an important subject and many unique synthetic methods have been discovered, especially in the last decade. Syntheses using transition-metal com pounds are now in the foreground of organic chemistry. The purpose of this monograph is to give a bird's-eye view of this field to both organic and inorganic chemists through a mechanistic approach. A systematic unification of the voluminous data accumulated in this field is now urgently required. This subject is discussed by classifying various reactions into general patterns and by illustrating them with a limited number of pertinent examples.

Transition metals open up new opportunities for synthesis, because their means of bonding and their reaction mechanisms differ from those of the elements of the s and p blocks. In the last two decades the subject has mushroomed - established reactions are seeing both technical improvements and increasing numbers of applications, and new reactions are being developed. The practicality of the subject is demonstrated by the large number of publications coming from the process development laboratories of pharmaceutical companies, and its importance is underlined by the fact that three Nobel prizes have been awarded for discoveries in this field in the 21st Century already. Organic Synthesis Using Transition Metals, 2nd Edition considers the ways in which transition metals, as catalysts and reagents, can be used in organic synthesis, both for pharmaceutical compounds and for natural products. It concentrates on the bond-forming reactions that set transition metal chemistry apart from "classical" organic chemistry. Each chapter is extensively referenced and provides a convenient point of entry to the research literature. Topics covered include: introduction to transition metals in organic synthesis coupling reactions C-H activation carbonylative coupling reactions alkene and alkyne insertion reactions electrophilic alkene and alkyne complexes reactions of alkyne complexes carbene complexes h3- or p-allyl -allyl complexes diene, dienyl and arene complexes cycloaddition and cycloisomerisation reactions For this second edition the text has been extensively revised and expanded to reflect the significant improvements and advances in the field since the first edition, as well as the large number of new transition metal-catalysed processes that have come to prominence in the last 10 years – for example the extraordinary progress in coupling reactions using “designer” ligands, catalysis using gold complexes, new opportunities arising from metathesis chemistry, and C-H activation – without neglecting the well established chemistry of metals such as palladium. Organic Synthesis Using Transition Metals, 2nd Edition will find a place on the bookshelves of advanced undergraduates and postgraduates working in organic synthesis, catalysis, medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. It is also useful for practising researchers who want to refresh and enhance their knowledge of the field.

Im Laufe der vergangenen 35 Jahre wurden unzahlige Synthesewege entwickelt, bei denen Ubergangsmetallkomplexe entweder als Reagenzien oder als Katalysatoren fungieren. Dieses Buch bietet besonders denjenigen Synthesechemikern interessante und moderne Einblicke, die bisher noch nicht mit den vielfaltigen Moglichkeiten der Organometallchemie mit Ubergangsmetallen vertraut sind. Zu wichtigen ubergangsmetallkatalysierten Reaktionen werden Anwendungsbeispiele diskutiert. (01/00)

This second edition offers easy access to the field of organotransition metal chemistry. The book covers the basics of transition metal chemistry, giving a practical introduction to organotransition reaction mechanisms.

Although organotransition metal chemistry has been developing rapidly over the past 20 years, it is only recently that applications of transition metal complexes to organic synthesis have started to be exploited. This unique book provides an introduction to organometallic chemistry for chemists who have little or no experience in the field, describes the work that has already been done using organotransition metal complexes for synthesis, and indicates to organic and organometallic chemists the type of synthetic problems that can be solved using organometallic compounds. It covers all major advances that have been made in this rapidly expanding area of chemistry, including not only reactions that already have well established applications for synthesis but also many recently discovered potentially useful reactions, providing a survey of recent literature.

Transition Metal Organometallics in Organic Synthesis: Volume I reviews the literature in the field of organic synthesis with a focus on the most effective synthetic transformations. The text covers topics such as the general considerations in organic synthesis, C-C and C-X bond formations, and the isomerization and reorganization reactions of olefins. Also covered are topics such as displacement reactions with transition metal complexes, electrophilic reactions of organopalladium complexes, carbonylation reactions, and metal-carbene complexes — its structure, spectra, bonding, and direct synthesis. The book is recommended as a reference for chemists and inorganic chemists who would like to learn the applications of organometallic complexes as reagents and catalysts.

More and more possible applications of organometallic compounds in organic synthesis have been uncovered and a growing number of scientists are attracted to this area of research. This book presents an state-of-the-art account of the successful application of main- and transition metal mediated syntheses. It will stimulate new ideas and initiate further research in all areas of this fascinating chemistry.

The demand for selective organic reactions is growing more acute everyday. Indeed, greater product selectivity has an important impact on energy and resource utilization, in terms of reduced process energy requirements for product separation and purification, in terms of low-value by-products, and in terms of environmental acceptance and compatibility. Moreover, more and more chemicals, especially pharmaceuticals, have to be sold in an optically active form. The search for selectivity constitutes a tremendous challenge for the chemists. In the last two decades, homogeneous transition metal based catalysis has emerged as one of the most promising tools for obtaining selectivity. In connection with developments in this area, this book contains updated and expanded versions of most of the lectures presented at a Cornett course held in Trieste (Italy) in 1989 and sponsored by the European Community. A primary aim is to cultivate a deeper understanding of the parameters that govern the selectivities and stimulate a wider utilization of transition metal based catalysis in organic synthesis. All aspects of selectivity, chemo-, regio-, stereo- and enantioselectivity are considered and illustrated by applications in various fields or organic synthesis. The impact of catalysis in oxydation, reduction, carbonylation reactions, carbene chemistry, in Ni and Pd promoted dimerizations, oligomerizations as well as fonctionalisations is stressed, quite often with special emphasis laid on reaction mechanisms. In this aspect, the last chapter examplifies the interest of high pressure NMR and IR when investigating the nature of reaction intermediates in homogeneous reactions.

This volume is designed to disseminate practical expertise in this important and demanding area of chemistry to undergraduate and postgraduate students in universities and to researchers working in the chemical industry. The authors have considerable practical and teaching experience in theareas they cover. Topics include transition metal-promoted oxidations, palladium-catalysed carbon-carbon bond formation, ferrocene chemistry, applications of organoiron complexes in organic synthesis, applications of titanocene and zirconocene complexes in organic synthesis and arene chromiumtricarbonyl chemistry.