Organometallic Compounds - Examples, Preparation, Properties. Structure, FAQs

Organometallic compounds form one very important and interesting group of chemical substances standing at the edge between organic and inorganic chemistry. This family consists of compounds containing at least one bond between a carbon atom and a metal atom. The corresponding compounds exhibit properties and reactivities that are helpful in many industrial applications and in basic academic research. They can range from alkali metals, like lithium and sodium, to transition metals like palladium and platinum. Each of these gives a different character to the compound it forms.
Their applications are, however, not limited only to the structure of organometallic compounds. Important catalytic reactions, which in the absence of the catalyst would either be extremely slow or unrealizable under normal experimental conditions, are examples of the importance of organometallic compounds. This becomes particularly useful in organic synthesis, wherein organometallic reagents are applied to the widely used buildup of complex molecules. For example, the commonly applied Grignard reagent and organocuprates for the formation of carbon-carbon bonds, which form the fundamental chemistry in large-scale syntheses of organic molecules.
These uniquely reactive compounds serve as the basis for new materials, new pharmaceuticals, and even environmental solutions. It is this special kind of reactivity that will allow chemists to find new, sustainable ways of synthesis and catalysis to get into new, unexplored areas, opening new paths of progress bound with medicine, materials, and nanotechnology. Herein, we consider the ways in which organometallic compounds can be defined, classified, and find applicable real-world applications to underline the importance of their use in scientific research and throw results into practical application.

Types and Examples: We will present the structural distinction of different types of organometallic compounds with illustrative examples in this section.

Organometallic Compounds

Organometallics are a class of chemical species defined by the presence of at least one bond between a carbon atom and a metal atom. Species of this kind are of interest and show properties which clearly distinguish them from organic and inorganic pure compounds. They can be as simple as alkali and alkaline earth metals or connected with different transition metals and metalloids, such as silicon and tin. The very metal-carbon bond is different in nature; it changes from covalent to ionic and even multicenter, which alters the reactivity and stability of the compounds.

The role of organometallic compounds in chemistry cannot be overestimated. They entered this field most importantly in the area of catalysis, where chemical reactions are enabled to proceed at extremely high turnover long before any mediators are consumed. Another striking example in this respect is Grignard reagents and metal carbonyls that have been used in organic synthesis with wider applications. Thus, the platform is provided by the chemist or scientist for understanding the properties and behavior of such compounds to further develop processes and optimize them.

Compounds that contain at least one carbon-metal bond are called organometallic compounds. Zeise, in 1830, prepared the first organometallic compound by the action of ethylene on a solution of potassium chloroplatinate(II). In the last four decades, enormous work has been done in this field and many fascinating compounds have been synthesized and investigated. Grignard reagent, RMgX is a familiar example of organometallic compounds where R is an alkyl group. Diethyl zinc [Zn(C₂H₅)₂], lead tetraethyl [Pb(C₂H₅)₄], ferrocene [Fe(C₅H₅)₂], dibenzene chromium[Cr(C₆H₆)₂], metal carbonyls are other examples of organometallic compounds. The compounds of metalloids such as germanium and antimony and non-metallic elements such as boron and silicon are also included under this classification.

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Organometallic compounds may be classified in three classes:

Sigma(σ) bonded complexes: These complexes contain a metal and carbon atom attached with a sigma bond e.g. Tetramethyl Tin, Trimethyl aluminum etc.

Bonding in Trimethyl aluminum is shown below

Pi(π) bonded complexes: These complexes contain a metal and carbon atom attached with a Pi bond. e.g. Ferrocene, Dibenzene Chromium, etc. Bonding in Ferrocene and Dibenzene Chromium is shown below:

Complexes containing both $\sigma$ and $\pi$ bonding characteristics: These complexes contain both $\sigma$ as well as $\pi$ bonding characteristics. e.g. Metal Carbonyls. The $M-C \sigma$ bond is formed by the donation of the lone pair of electrons of the carbonyl group into the vacant d orbital of metal while the $M-C \pi$ bond is formed by the back donation of the lone pair of electrons from the metal into vacant antibonding $\pi^*$ molecular orbital of CO. This synergic bonding leads to the formation of stronger bonds and stable metal carbonyl complexes. The bonding in metal carbonyls is shown below:

Types and Examples of Organometallic Compounds

Organometallic compounds can be classified depending on the particular metal or the type of carbon-metal bond.

General broad categories include:

• Main-Group Organometallic: They are those compounds that are active in reaction with alkali and alkaline earth metals to form organolithium and organomagnesium compounds. For instance, Grignard reagents are of paramount importance in organic synthesis due to the fact that they can form carbon-carbon bonds.
• Transition Metal Organometallics:A class of compounds of transition metals with carbon atoms is ferrocene and metal carbonyls. Ferrocene is an example of a metallocene; that is, it is a substance that contains a central iron atom sandwiched between two cyclopentadienyl anions. It is highly stable and also shows electronic properties.
• Apart from this, organometallics are also classified by functional groups and by the reactivity character of these groups. For example, organotin compounds are found in plastics, stabilizers, and biocides, while organocuprates are one of the dominating compounds in most of the nucleophilic substitution reactions.

Also, students can refer,

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Applications: Organometallic Compounds in Real Life

• The importance of organometallic compounds does not merely lie within the laboratories; they are also relevant in industries and real-life applications.
• Catalysis: Organometallic compounds act as catalysts in chemical reactions that more or less take place in the enhancement of reaction rate and selectivity. For example, organometallic complexes, such as Ziegler–Natta, are of paramount importance in the polymerization of alkenes, which in turn are used in making polyethylene and polypropylene. Pharmaceuticals: Organometallic compounds work as important mediums in the synthesis of many drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. They are important in that they can provide proper carbon-carbon bond formation so that highly complex organic molecules can be developed.
• Environmental Concerns: These compounds can either be of great utility or can be a great threat to health and the environment. An example is the very toxic compound methylmercury with one application that has caused very serious ecological and health problems and is under very stringent regulatory control on its use and disposal.
• Semiconductors and Electronics: Organometallic compounds are used extensively today in the production of semiconductors and other electronic devices. For example, trimethylgallium for LED and solar cell MOCVD thin-film deposition.
• Organometallic compounds have so many and so varied applications that they underline their relevance both in academic research and practical, industrial applications. Their special properties and reactivity make organometallic compounds powerful tools in the promotion of chemistry and technology.

Recommended topic video on (Organometallic Compounds )

Some Solved Examples

Example 1
Question: $Mn_2(CO)_{10}$ is an organometallic compound due to the presence of:

1) Mn-C bond
2) Mn-Mn bond
3) Mn-O bond
4) C-O bond

Solution: $Mn_2(CO)_{10}$ is classified as an organometallic compound because it contains a Mn-C bond. Therefore, the correct answer is option (1).

Example 2
Question: The number of bridging CO ligands in $[Mn_2(CO)_{10}]$ is __________.

1) 0
2)1
3)3
4)2

Solution: There are zero bridging CO ligands present in $[Mn_2(CO)_{10}]$. Thus, the answer is 0.

Example 3
Question: In the cobalt-carbonyl complex $[Co_2(CO)_8]$, the number of Co-Co bonds is "X" and terminal CO ligands is "Y". What is X + Y = __________?

1) 7
2)1
3)4
4) 6

Solution: In $[Co_2(CO)_8]$, there is 1 Co-Co bond (X = 1) and 6 terminal CO ligands (Y = 6). Therefore, X + Y = 7. The correct answer is 7.

Example 4
Question: The number of complexes that will exhibit synergic bonding among $[Cr(CO)_6]$, $[Mn(CO)_5]$, and $[Mn_2(CO)_{10}]$ is ________.

1) 3
2) 4
3) 8
4) 5

Solution: All three complexes are metal carbonyl complexes and exhibit synergic bonding. Hence, the answer is 3.

Example 5
Question: The oxidation states of iron atoms in compounds (A), (B), and (C), respectively, are x, y, and z. What is the sum of x, y, and z?

1) 6
2) 9
3) 4
4) 5

Solution: The sum of the oxidation states of iron atoms in compounds (A), (B), and (C) is 6. Therefore, the correct answer is 6.

Summary

In summary, organometallic compounds relate to a specific and very exciting area of chemistry, one that is built around the special bond between carbon and metal atoms. Many special properties come under their roof—property factors due to this special bonding, which render them irreplaceable in a lot of applications. We are going to learn the main definitions, and features of organometallic compounds, together with their classification and main-group and transition metal compounds. In this regard, each shall be exemplified in view of showing the broad functions of this class of compounds. The applications for organometallic compounds are very wide, for instance, catalysis, pharmaceuticals, environmental science, and electronics. Acting as important catalysts for industrial processes, more so in the synthesis of polymers and pharmaceuticals, organometallics have played a very important role in technological advancement and improved efficiency for more than two decades now. On the other hand, such records show that some of the organometallic compounds—for example, methylmercury—do raise environmental and health hazards due to the irresponsible handling and management of these compounds.
That is to say, it is in the area of organometallic compounds that every chemist or researcher is willing to bring some difference very close at hand, whether in academia or in industries. Organometallic compounds are one of the priorities that chemical research is about to follow. Their study on their properties and uses for making new discoveries will go on to the most complex challenges in science and technology.

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NCERT Chemistry Notes:

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