Distinctive properties of Cp ’ M(NO)(alkyl)(2) (M = MO, W) complexes

This account summarizes our work with the title complexes, which are rare examples of electronically and coordinatively unsaturated transition-metal alkyls that can be isolated under ambient conditions. It first outlines the synthetic methods employed for the preparation of these compounds and then presents their distinctive physical properties. It then classifies the characteristic chemical properties of these complexes in terms of the reactivity being either metal or ligand based, and specific examples of particular transformations are illustrated with reference to the most studied systems.