The series Topics in Organometallic Chemistry presents critical overviews of research results in organometallic chemistry. As our understanding of organometallic structure, properties and mechanisms increases, new ways are opened for the design of organometallic compounds and reactions tailored to the needs of such diverse areas as organic synthesis, medical research, biology and materials science. Thus the scope of coverage includes a broad range of topics in pure and applied organometallic chemistry, where new breakthroughs are being achieved that are of significance to a larger scientific audience. The individual volumes of Topics in Organometallic Chemistry are thematic. Review articles are generally invited by the volume editors.

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Organo-Transition Metal Compounds and Related Aspects of Homogeneous Catalysis covers compounds that possess carbon atoms bonded to metal and to other carbon atoms. The order in which the substances appear in the book is based on the number of carbon atoms it have. The first section is about the alkyl, aryl, ethynyl, acyl, and carbene complexes. The second section deals with olefin and chelating diolefin complexes and complexes formed from acetylene. The following section covers the p-allylic complexes. The structures, stability, and bonding of alkyl and aryl complexes are fully covered. The magnetic moments and electronic spectra are discussed in detail.The fourth section discusses the conjugated diolefinic complexes that contain butadiene or cyclobutadiene. The rest of the book focuses on cyclopentadienyls, arene complexes, tropylium complexes, and complexes formed from cyclo-octatetraene or azulene. The book will be a useful tool for chemists, chemical engineers, and students and researchers in the field of chemistry.

A very large number of organo derivatives is formed by the Group IV ele ments silicon, germanium, tin, and lead. In comparing the general properties of these elements, Table 1. 1 shows that the first ionization energies decrease (though not in a regular way) with increase in size and atomic number, con sistent with the general increase in metallic character of the elements. Electro negativity values (which have been the subject of considerable controversy) show no clear trend. Although purely inorganic compounds of tin(n) and leaden) are well known, almost all organo Group IV derivatives show an oxidation state of IV. Bonds to carbon become weaker on passing from silicon to lead, as do the element-element bonds themselves. With any particular element M (M = Si, Ge, Sn, or Pb), there is a small decrease in bond energy in the order: M-Ph > M - Me > M - Et. Although accurate data for organo derivatives are lacking, strengths of bonds to other elements probably decrease in the order: M-F> M-O > M-CI > M-H ~ M-N ~ M-S ~ M-Br > M-I, while for a particular element X, the order is: Si-X > Ge-X > Sn-X > Pb-X. It is therefore understandable that reactions leading to Si-F, Si-O, or Si-CI bonds are especially favoured in a thermodynamic sense.